| The Bund Finance Center | |
| Building Type: | Cultural centre |
| Location: | The Bund, Shanghai |
| Location Country: | China |
| Coordinates: | 31.2289°N 121.4935°W |
| Inauguration Date: | 2017 |
| Floor Count: | 4 (above ground) 3 (below ground) |
| Floor Area: | 4000m2 |
| Architect: | Thomas Heatherwick Norman Foster |
| Architecture Firm: | Heatherwick Studio |
| References: | [1] [2] |
The Bund Finance Center is a building located in the Old City area of Shanghai, China.[3] It is notable for its three, overlapping, moving layers of vertical stainless steel pipes. These layers, inspired by theatre curtains, slowly rotate around the building. Fosun Foundation (Shanghai), a non-profit organization is based in the building and was supported by Fosun Group and Fosun Foundation.[1] The building is located in the narrow strip of riverfront land between the eastern wall of the Old City and the Huangpu River, a locality traditionally called "Shiliupu" (十六铺, "the Sixteenth Stall").
The total area is 4,000 square feet.[2] It comprises four above-ground floors and three below.
The exterior is veiled with three moving layers, or curtains, of vertical, gold/bronze-coloured, stainless steel pipes. These hang from the third floor and move along tracks powered by electric motors.[3] Each day, for several hours, these layers slowly rotate around the building to music.[3]
Inspired by traditional Chinese theatre curtains, these layers resemble not only curtains, but also a Western harp and an ancient Chinese crown.The gold finish on the draped pipes and exterior is achieved through a process of Physical Vapour Deposition, or PVD, on stainless steel producing a vibrant gold colour.
The first floor contains a lobby, atrium, and cafe.[3] It has a ceiling height of 4 metres, is 24 metres long and 15.6 metres wide, for a total area of 360 square metres.[4]
The second and third floors each have a ceiling height of 6.5 metres, is 31 metres long and 16.4 metres wide, for a combined area of 1,140 square metres.
The fourth floor has an area of 600 square metres.[1]
There are 3 below-ground levels containing auditoriums and a number of hallways that will connect to the adjacent complex.
The building was designed by Foster + Partners and creative director Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio.[1]
The Fosun Foundation will be used to host a various of events including fashion shows, art exhibitions, and conferences.[4]