Construction discards trickle into the interiors of SpActrum's office in Shanghai
by Anushka SharmaJan 01, 2025
by ABBPublished on : May 09, 2022
We are in Chongqing, China. One of the largest cities in the world.
Witnessing a project of outstanding scale and significance: Raffles City Chongqing, a complex of eight skyscrapers by Moshe Safdie. Like billowing sails situated at the tip of land where the rivers Yangtze and Jialing meet, these skyscrapers change the perspectives on a city that so far has not been the focus of the wider world outside China, like Shanghai or Beijing. But this could now be about to change!
Seven skyscrapers reach the sky, with the eighth being a horizontal building 250 metres in height, called ‘The Crystal’. It connects four of the towers, bringing garden areas, swimming pools, hotel lobbies and restaurants to a higher level. As Moshe Safdie says, "It does not make sense any longer to have the public landscapes on the ground in a city where high-rise buildings dominate!" With this said, The Crystal has proven its relevance. Offering breathtaking views of the city of Chongqing, the rivers and the mountain landscape in the distance, it also provides natural environs, leisure and comfort to those visiting the 300-metre long sky bridge.
Raffles City Chongqing has been awarded LEED-CS pre-certification gold, as advanced technologies lower its environmental impact. Thousands of ABB products are involved to deliver outstanding performance.
"We are very proud that we have been able to create a gateway complex that has proven to have deep symbolic meaning for the city and its citizens," says architect Moshe Safdie of Safdie Architects.
Watch Episode #16 of Frozen Music and feel the magic of Safdie Architects' newest significant addition to a megacity.
Frozen Music Episode #16 Raffles City Chongqing - China by Safdie Architects May 4, 2022
Frozen Music
Each Frozen Music video showcases a unique building project and the architects behind them to a global community, giving quick insight into safer, smarter, and more sustainable building designs.
Sign up to ABB's newsletter to not miss the next episode of Frozen Music.
Sign up nowby Pranjal Maheshwari Sep 10, 2026
The Nashik-based studio’s founder, Pooja Khairnar, discusses the trials and aspirations of designing learning spaces in Indian villages and uncovering their ‘generic essence’.
by Pranjal Maheshwari Sep 08, 2026
With a sawtooth facade and a definitive solid-void interplay, the hotel design by the Mexican studio strives to blend with public rhythms while reflecting San José del Cabo’s legacy.
by Pia Bhatia Sep 07, 2026
DSDHA transforms an agricultural barn at the artist’s former estate into a multipurpose centre while retaining its history, material character and connection to the landscape.
by STIRworld Sep 03, 2026
In partnership with Philippe Starck’s YOO and UHA, the iconic high-rise development brings human-centric luxury living enveloped in a futuristic architectural shell to Gurugram.
Enter your details to sign in
Don’t have an account?
Sign upOr you can sign in with
a single account for all
STIR platforms
All your bookmarks will be available across all your devices.
Stay STIRred
Already have an account?
Sign inOr you can sign up with
Verification link sent to check your inbox or spam folder to complete sign up process
Tap on things that interests you.
Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch
Please enter your details and click submit.
Enter the 6-digit code sent at
Episode #16: Raffles City Chongqing from Frozen Music, ABB's popular video series
by ABB | Published on : May 09, 2022
What do you think?