Archinect - News 2024-11-08T07:49:18-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150452614/open-architecture-s-coastal-cultural-center-sun-tower-opens-in-yantai OPEN Architecture's coastal cultural center Sun Tower opens in Yantai Nathaniel Bahadursingh 2024-11-04T08:00:00-05:00 >2024-11-04T19:41:47-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/28/2896d5c1f9ca558dee56d9178405865d.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><figure><p><a href="https://archinect.com/openarch" target="_blank">OPEN Architecture</a>&rsquo;s striking, cone-shaped cultural venue,&nbsp;<a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/2270729/sun-tower" target="_blank">Sun Tower</a>, has officially opened in&nbsp;<a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/1925180/yantai" target="_blank">Yantai</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/643/china" target="_blank">China</a>. Situated along the coast of the Yellow Sea, the structure encompasses an outdoor theater, exhibition spaces, library, caf&eacute; and bar, and a special semi-outdoor observation deck. Its design was informed by the passage of the sun.</p> <p><br></p><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/e9/e911ba81f80b8af07a73cbeb80008be3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/e9/e911ba81f80b8af07a73cbeb80008be3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Photo: Jonathan Leijonhufvud</figcaption></figure><p>Sun Tower provides a much needed cultural hub for the growing population of Yantai's Yeda Development Zone. Established in 1984, the Zone transformed the area, which consisted mainly of fishing villages, into a district of industry and tourism.</p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/d2/d2bfe6c7537f84e0fec5f80797c1c1f9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/d2/d2bfe6c7537f84e0fec5f80797c1c1f9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Photo: Jonathan Leijonhufvud</figcaption></figure><p>OPEN Architecture conceived the project&rsquo;s design as a celebration of the area&rsquo;s historical connection to the sun and sea. It is one of the earliest regions in China where ancient sun-worshiping occurred and where Ming Dynasty-era watchtowers were erected. The structure&rsquo;s design also features a contemporary take on the typology of lighthouses.</p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/d7/d7eed04297040350475b3c724a77927b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/d7/d7eed04297040350475b3c724a77927b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Photo: Jonatha...</figcaption></figure> https://archinect.com/news/article/150355228/open-architecture-s-sculptural-sun-tower-tops-out OPEN Architecture's sculptural Sun Tower tops out Josh Niland 2023-06-29T17:48:00-04:00 >2024-10-25T04:07:38-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/a2/a24c50a4eb828455e72b668c1a4f736d.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p><a href="https://archinect.com/openarch" target="_blank">OPEN Architecture</a> has shared construction photos of its new <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150298999/open-unveils-new-details-on-yantai-sun-tower-project" target="_blank">Sun Tower project</a>, which recently topped out in the coastal Chinese city of Yantai.</p> <p>The program of the 164-foot tower is divided into three parts from the ground up. The semi-outdoor theater contained at its base gives way to a mid-level exhibition space that&rsquo;s topped by a small library and viewing area on the uppermost floor. Its concave composite shell serves as "sound collector" while finally, a well-placed oculus at the top of the structure allows for rainwater to enter into a small pool that remains dry in the winter in order to be reused as a fireplace.</p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/81/818cb4b298212ea260bf018ff4be571d.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/81/818cb4b298212ea260bf018ff4be571d.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Previously on Archinect: <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150298999/open-unveils-new-details-on-yantai-sun-tower-project" target="_blank">OPEN unveils new details on Yantai Sun Tower project</a></figcaption></figure><p>The firm describes: &ldquo;Looking beyond image making, we wanted to create something meaningful at least on two fundamental levels: One is to remind people [of] the wonders of nature that are often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of daily life; the other is to bring much needed public programs i...</p> https://archinect.com/news/article/150298999/open-unveils-new-details-on-yantai-sun-tower-project OPEN unveils new details on Yantai Sun Tower project Nathaniel Bahadursingh 2022-02-15T14:41:00-05:00 >2024-10-25T04:07:38-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/f6/f60e67415c6ee1aacf110ee1dc6ce233.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>Beijing-based firm <a href="https://archinect.com/openarch" target="_blank">OPEN Architecture</a> has revealed the design of its under-construction Sun Tower project located in Yantai, <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/643/china" target="_blank">China</a>, a city along the coast of the Yellow Sea.&nbsp;</p> <p>The tower, the recipient of the <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150266154/aim-architecture-has-been-crowned-the-overall-winner-of-the-2021-ar-future-project-awards" target="_blank">Jeu d&rsquo;Esprit Special Prize</a> of AR Future Project Awards 2021, comprises a semi-outdoor theater, a winding exhibition space, and a library in the sky. The structure also features a unique semi-outdoor space at the top, called a &ldquo;phenomena space,&rdquo; that allows visitors to observe natural phenomena throughout the year.<br></p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/1f/1fdc494710734e09e1ab6edde9928152.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/1f/1fdc494710734e09e1ab6edde9928152.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p></figure><p>The city of Yantai wanted to create a landmark on the coast as a symbol of its rapid development and status as an industrial powerhouse in China. The name Yantai means &ldquo;Beacon Tower,&rdquo; derived from the series of watchtowers built during the Ming Dynasty to warn against impending attacks on the coastline. OPEN&rsquo;s response to the design brief was to establish a purposeful structure that connected to this history and evoked the ancient rituals of nature worship while providin...</p>