Architecture – Spatial Composition : The International Commerce Center

The International Commerce Center in Hong Kong is the tallest building in the city. The skyscraper is erected over the city and dominates its environment. Nevertheless, the huge building developed and constructed by Sun Hung Kai Properties is very special building in terms of its design and domination over the environment. In this regard, the building turns out to be standing aside of the local environment. The building is distinct from its natural environment located on the shore.

The building is not naturally integrated into its environment that makes it look strange on the natural landscape of Hong Kong. In this regard, it is only the proximity of other skyscrapers that creates the effect of the integration of the International Commerce Center in Hong Kong. The location of the building implies its belongingness to the business life of the modern mega polis which is Hong Kong. The building is erected in the financial heart of Hong Kong and the business life of the city is concentrated in the area, where the International Commerce Center is located (Hiesinger & Marcus 111). The proximity to other financial and business buildings and the overall location of the building in the business area of the city has determined the specialization of the building which has become the financial and business center oriented on international businesses operating in Hong Kong as well as abroad but having their outlets in Hong Kong.

At the same time, the business environment of the International Commerce Center has determined not only its specialization but also the specificity of its architecture. The building made of glass, metal and solid constructions seems to be closely integrated in the area dominated by huge skyscrapers and other business buildings. The sense of modernity, advanced technologies and business is closely integrated into the architecture of the International Commerce Center. In this regard, it is worth mentioning the fact that the building is the tallest building in the city at the moment. This is why its construction has raised certain difficulties and challenges in face of the company conducting its construction of the building but the use of advanced technologies and original solutions helped the developer to design and construct the building successfully.

The use of materials was also determined by the specificity of the skyscraper construction. The extensive use of metal, glass and solid constructions became essential for the construction of the building because these materials comprise the core of any skyscraper. In this regard, the overall design is also traditional for skyscrapers. The architecture of the building does not include any exclusive approaches to architectural elements of the building. The building is of the traditional square form erected from the ground level to the top without any transitions and changes in the level of the building.

At the same time, the architecture of the building does not match its natural environment. For example, its square form contrasts to the flat landscape and the sea surrounding the building. The use of more creative form of the building could have made the building more integrated into natural landscape, but, such approach to the design would have raised the problem of the difference of the International Commerce Center from other skyscrapers located in the area. However, the inclusion of some exclusive elements in the exterior design of the building would make it very distinct from other buildings in the area.

Thus, the International Commerce Center is not just the tallest building of Hong Kong but it is the building that manifests the financial and business life of the city and is a typical sample of such business buildings in the area.

Works Cited:

Hiesinger, K.B. and G.H. Marcus. Style of Modernism. In Landmarks of Twentieth-Century Design: An Illustrated Handbook. New York: Abbeville Press Publishers, 2014, 76-111.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]
close
Haven't found the right essay?
Get an expert to write you the one you need!
print

Professional writers and researchers

quotes

Sources and citation are provided

clock

3 hour delivery

person