Moshe safdie: chongqing chaotianmen

'chongqing chaotianmen' by safdie architects in chongqing, china
all images courtesy of safdie architects


international firm safdie architects has announced its newest project, 'chongquin chaotianmen', a mixed-use complex 
in chongquin, china, located at the meeting point between the yangtze and jialing rivers. the historically significant site 
was the traditional chaotian gate where officials received imperial decrees from the emperors. to honor its previous use, 
the center is divided into eight north-facing towers in the shape of sails upon the water, 
a modern representation of a fleet of ancient chinese ships. 



aerial view 

the two central towers are 358 meters (1175 feet) above the flood plain. they will contain a service residence, a hotel,
private residences and office spaces that will be linked by a garden bridge. 

tucked within the large towers are four shorter versions at a height of 248 meters (814 feet). together, they form a continuous arch.
along the exterior, a connecting platform links the two residential and two office towers together. within the overpass is a full floor of hotel lobby,
restaurants and clubs. above are the rooftop gardens and pools. the remaining two smaller structures are residential,
giving the project a total of 302, 000 sq. meters of living units. underneath the skyscrapers are five levels of public programs
including cultural facilities, a conference center, a theatre, retail destinations and hubs for land and water transportation including ferry docking. 

upward view of towers



inward facing balconies with vegetation 



communal spaces 



view from restaurant 



night view from yangtze river 



view from water at dusk 



day and night aerial views of model 



section



site plan

project info:

architects: safdie architects 
client: capitalland lts / capitamalls asia ltd/ singbridge holdings pte. ltd. 

size: 817, 000 sq. m. (8, 800,000 sq.ft)

expected cost: 3.1 billion USD