Poly International Plaza, a new skyscraper in Beijing, is inspired by Chinese paper lanterns. The office building features a complexly three-dimensional facade with massive, folded, rhomboid windows that are angled to let in light at every time of the day.
The Poly International Plaza facade is directly inspired by a folding technique used on paper lanterns. The diagrid pattern can be created with paper by folding it into a cylinder and impressing the tessellating parallelograms evenly across the surface. Though Poly International's facade is made from concrete and glass, it nonetheless gives off a lightness reminiscent of paper.
An added benefit of the structural design is that it opens up the buildings interior. The unique structure allows for a column-free interior, expanding range of movement and interior space.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Polygonal Skyscraper Facades
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring new architectural designs that incorporate complex, three-dimensional facades inspired by unconventional concepts.
- Folding Techniques in Architecture
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Applying folding techniques used in traditional crafts to create unique and visually striking building facades.
- Column-free Interior Design
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing structural designs that maximize interior space by eliminating columns and allowing for greater flexibility in space utilization.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Architecture
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating innovative facade designs and interior layouts to redefine the skyline and visual landscape of cities.
- Construction
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Implementing new building methods and materials to create complex and visually appealing skyscraper facades.
- Interior Design
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Designing flexible and column-free interiors that optimize space utilization and enhance the functionality and aesthetics of buildings.
