Beijing-based OPEN Architecture has completed the Sun Tower, a 50-meter-tall double-shell concrete structure in Yantai, China. This oceanfront public cultural facility features an outdoor theater, digital exhibition spaces, library, café, and bar. Atop the summit lies the unique semi-outdoor “Phenomena Space.”
The Sun Tower’s geometry is inspired by the movement of the sun from its vantage point. With a total area of 4,960 square meters, it reconnects people to nature’s spiritual power. The library and digital exhibition spaces promote environmental awareness and coastal community collaboration.
Designed to capture natural phenomena, the building incorporates passive techniques to reduce energy use. These include tunnel cooling, thermal mass, cross ventilation, and the chimney effect. The shell structure comprises two layers of white concrete shells joined and supported by ramps and slabs.
“[Sun Tower is] a cultural ‘lighthouse’ where ancient wisdom in respecting nature is integrated with contemporary urban cultural life,” said OPEN Architecture. “The architecture frames and transforms invisible energies—air, light, sound, and natural phenomena—into tangible and visceral experiences.”
The Sun Tower’s design aligns with celestial movements, with the northern edge of the outer shell running parallel to the noon sun on equinoxes. The outdoor theater faces the sunrise over Zhifu Island on the summer solstice.
Image Courtesy: worldarchitecture.org
Key Facts:
– Location: Yantai, China
– Height: 50 meters
– Total Area: 4,960 square meters
– Features: Outdoor theater, digital exhibition spaces, library, café, bar, and Phenomena Space
– Design Inspired by: Movement of the sun and ancient sun-worshiping culture
