Page 32 - DIVA_No.18_2005

Taipei 101

On 31 December 2004, the
Taiwanese capital, Taipei, will
inaugurate the world highest
and most sophisticated sky-
scraper. The Taipei 101 Tower
marks the 21st Century with the
construction of its 508 meters
and its decorative 30m spire,
inspired by Taiwan's native
plant, outranking the actual
highest building, the Petronas
Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

The world famous architect,
C.Y. Lee is responsible for the
project design, which tran-
scends the uni-body concept
and its based on the Chinese
pagoda form, the shape of the
bamboo flower and on the num-
ber 8, the Chinese lucky num-
ber par excellence, which
means blooming of success.
Eight clearly delineated sec-
tions of the buildings are con-
nected one by one on top of
each other to form a whole,
resembling the flexible yet per-
sistent bamboo rising into the
sky. With its transparent and
non-reflective curtain walls it is
not only energy efficient and
heat reflective but also gives a
clear view of the world around.
Thus, creating a perfect harmo-
ny between the building and its
natural environment.

Taiwan is subject to typhoons
and earthquakes. In order to
34 Diva 1.2005