Mayukh Saha
Mayukh Saha
March 12, 2024 ·  3 min read

Infinity-Loop Skyscraper is One of the World’s Most Interesting Buildings

Skyscrapers are no longer a rare sight in any big metropolis. However, architects keep coming up with innovative new looks for these soaring structures. Among the latest is the planned Infinity-loop Skyscraper that will function as the Huanghzou headquarters for OPPO, the Chinese smartphone company. The design images surfaced in 2021.

BIG, an architecture studio from Denmark, is in charge of this project. The motive behind this design is to “connect ground to sky in a continuous loop of collaboration”. As per the studio, OPPO’s design aims also fits this skyscraper design. Brian Yang, a partner at BIG, believes that the best technology should “be a seamless extension of life”.

The planned Infinity-loop skyscraper
Image Credits: BIG

The O-Tower Of The Infinity-Loop Skyscraper

The central towering column of the infinity-loop skyscraper is named the O-Tower. Yang explains it as the “architectural manifestation of an OPPO product: effortlessly elegant while elevating the quality of human life in the city.” The site of the upcoming headquarters will be the scenic Huangzhou wetlands. On one side, it will have a dense urban city while on the other, it will have a natural landscape.

In the middle of the O-Tower, there will be an open courtyard. The Future Sci-Tech City of Huangzhou is where the building will stand. The designers hope the structure will be an “iconic landmark and gateway” for the district.

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The O-Tower
Image Credits: BIG

There will also be a park spanning 10,000 sq. m. and a natural lake beside the tower. The unique ‘O’ shape of the Infinity-loop skyscraper is not just meant to look good. It should also provide several different sizes of floorplates while increasing how much natural sunshine the offices get.

According to Bjarke Ingels, the design is an attempt to be in line with OPPO’s work environment in the future. It should be triply sustainable: socially, ecologically, as well as economically. The skyscraper’s ground floor will house space for the general public. It will connect to the central courtyard which will be accessible to anyone.

The public access to the central courtyard of the O-Tower.
Image Credits: BIG

Ingels explained: “Each element is intrinsically intertwined forming the melted loop that is perceivable at all scales – from the urban landmark to the human experience — becoming a manifestation of the design simplicity that is an intrinsic part of OPPO’s brand”.

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A Building That Will Combine Beauty With Ingenuity

The lower floors of the infinity-loop skyscraper will have a canteen, conference areas, and exhibition spaces. The above floors will contain the offices. They will be connected via several triple-height spaces sitting beneath the O-Tower’s sloping façade. An adaptive façade will use louvres to wrap everything up. The louvres will further orient themselves automatically according to the position of the sun so that solar gain remains minimum.

The adaptive facades that should minimize solar gain.
Image Credits: BIG

BIG is an abbreviation of Bjarke Ingels Group and has been around for over 15 years. Ingels established the company in 2005. Today, it is among the leading studios in the world. Its first Chinese project was the Danish Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo. One of its latest projects was in Shenzhen, where it built two towers with folded and rippling facades. One of its ongoing projects is in Chongqing where they are building a man-made city campus that will be run by artificial intelligence.

Keep Reading: Amsterdam’s floating ‘masterpiece’ of 160 homes pushes the envelope.

Sources

  1. China’s Infinity-Loop Skyscraper is One of the World’s Most Interesting Buildings.” Interesting Engineering. Brad Bergan. May 4, 2021
  2. BIG designs “infinity loop” skyscraper for OPPO in Hangzhou.” Dezeen. Tom Ravenscroft. April 19, 2021.