Jump to content

Taipei 101

Coordinates: 25°2′1.11″N 121°33′53.59″E / 25.0336417°N 121.5648861°E / 25.0336417; 121.5648861
This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

25°2′1.11″N 121°33′53.59″E / 25.0336417°N 121.5648861°E / 25.0336417; 121.5648861

Taipei 101
台北101
Taipei 101 in July 2024
Map
Former namesTaipei World Financial Center
Alternative namesTop of Taipei, Taipei Tower, Tower of Taipei
Record height
Tallest in the world from 2004 to 2009[I]
Preceded byPetronas Towers
Surpassed byBurj Khalifa
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeSkyscraper
Architectural stylePostmodern architecture
LocationTaipei, Taiwan
AddressNo. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan
Groundbreaking31 January 1999; 25 years ago (1999-01-31)
Construction started31 July 1999; 25 years ago (1999-07-31)[1]
Topped-out13 June 2001; 23 years ago (2001-06-13) (mall)
1 July 2003; 21 years ago (2003-07-01) (tower)
Completed14 November 2003; 21 years ago (2003-11-14) (mall)
31 December 2004; 19 years ago (2004-12-31) (tower)[1]
Opened31 December 2004; 19 years ago (2004-12-31)
CostNT$58 billion (US$1.9 billion)
OwnerTaipei Financial Center Corporation[2]
LandlordTaipei City Government
Height
Height508.0 m (1,667 ft)
Architectural508.2 m (1,667 ft)
Tip509.2 m (1,671 ft)
Roof449.2 m (1,474 ft)
Top floor438.0 m (1,437 ft)
Observatory449.2 m (1,474 ft)
Technical details
Floor count101[2]
Floor area412,500 m2 (4,440,100 sq ft)[3]
Lifts/elevators61 installed by Toshiba with KONE EcoDisc motors
Design and construction
Architect(s)C.Y. Lee and C.P. Wang
Structural engineerEvergreen Consulting Engineering and Thornton Tomasetti
Main contractorKTRT Joint Venture[4]
Awards and prizesExisting Buildings, LEED Platinum O+M
Website
www.taipei-101.com.tw
References
[1][8][2][9][10]
Taipei 101
Chinese台北101
Literal meaning"Tai[wan] North 101"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinTáiběi 101
Bopomofoㄊㄞˊ ㄅㄟˇ ㄧ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄧ
Gwoyeu RomatzyhTairbeei 101
Wade–Gilesai2-pei3 101
Tongyong PinyinTáiběi 101
MPS2Táiběi 101
IPA[tʰǎɪ.pèɪ] 101
Wu
SuzhouneseDé-poh 101
Hakka
RomanizationThòi-pet 101
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationTòih-bāk 101
Jyutpingtoi4 bak1 101
IPA[tʰɔj˩ pɐk̚˥] 101
Southern Min
Hokkien POJTâi-pak 101
Tâi-lôTâi-pak 101
Eastern Min
Fuzhou BUCDài-báe̤k 101
Taipei World Financial Center
Traditional Chinese臺北國際金融中心
Simplified Chinese台北国际金融中心
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinTáiběi Guójì Jīnróng Zhōngxīn
Bopomofoㄊㄞˊ ㄅㄟˇ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄐㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄖㄨㄥˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄣ
Wade–Gilesai2-pei3 Kuo2-chi4 Chin1-jung2 Chung1-hsin1
Tongyong PinyinTáiběi Guó-jì Jin-róng Jhong-sin
IPA[tʰǎɪ.pèɪ kwǒ.tɕî tɕín.ɻʊ̌ŋ ʈʂʊ́ŋ.ɕín]
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingtoi4 bak1 gwok3 zai3 gam1 jung4 zung1 sam1
IPA[tʰɔj˩ pɐk̚˥ kʷɔk̚˧ tsɐj˧ kɐm˥ jʊŋ˩ tsʊŋ˥ sɐm˥]
Southern Min
Hokkien POJTâi-pak kok-chè kim-iông Tiong-sim

Taipei 101 (Chinese: 台北101; pinyin: Táiběi 101; stylized in all caps),[1] formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, is a 508.0 m (1,667 ft), 101 story skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan. It is owned by Taipei Financial Center Corporation. The building was officially classified as the world's tallest from its opening on 31 December 2004 (in time to celebrate New Year's Eve). However, the Burj Khalifa surpassed Taipei 101 in 2010.[11]The construction of Taipei 101 was a joint venture led by Kumagai Gumi, a Japanese construction company, in cooperation with Samsung C&T of South Korea. Upon completion, it became the world's first skyscraper to exceed a height of half a kilometer (about 0.3 miles). As of 2023, Taipei 101 is the tallest building in Taiwan and the eleventh tallest building in the world.[12][13]

The building's high-speed elevators, manufactured by Toshiba of Japan, held the record for the fastest in the world at the time of completion.

The elevators of Taipei 101 that transport passengers from the 5th to the 89th floor in 37 seconds (attaining 60.6 km/h (37.7 mph)) set speed records.[12][a] In 2011, Taipei 101 was awarded a Platinum certificate rating under the LEED certification system for energy efficiency and environmental design, becoming the tallest and largest green building in the world.[14] The structure regularly appears as an icon of Taipei in international media, and the Taipei 101 fireworks displays are a regular feature of New Year's Eve broadcasts and celebrations.

Taipei 101's postmodernist architectural style evokes traditional Asian aesthetics in a modern structure employing industrial materials. Its design incorporates a number of features that enable the structure to withstand the Pacific Ring of Fire's earthquakes and the region's tropical storms. The tower houses offices, restaurants, shops, and indoor and outdoor observatories. The tower is adjoined by a multilevel shopping mall that has the world's largest ruyi symbol as an exterior feature.

History

[edit]

Planning

[edit]

In 1997, led by developer Harace Lin, the Taipei Financial Center Corporation, a team led by several Taiwan banks and insurance companies, won the rights to lease the site for 70 years and develop a building, placing the winning bid of NT$20,688,890,000 for the Build Operate Transfer agreement with the city government.[15]

Construction

[edit]
Looking up a still-incomplete Taipei 101
Taipei 101 near the end of construction during 2003, showing the concrete tower at the top still incomplete. The height of the building was still 449.2 meters at the time.

Planning for Taipei 101 began in July 1997[2] during Chen Shui-bian's term as Taipei mayor. Talks between merchants and city government officials initially centered on a proposal for a 66-story tower to serve as an anchor for new development in Taipei's 101 business district. Planners were considering taking the new structure to a more ambitious height only after an expat suggested it, along with many of the other features used in the design of the building. It was not until the summer of 2000 that the city granted a license for the construction of a 101-story tower on the site. In the meantime, construction proceeded and the first tower column was erected in the summer of 2001.[2][16]

A major earthquake struck Taiwan on 31 March 2002, sending a construction crane falling from the 56th floor to Xinyi Road. The crane crushed several vehicles and caused five deaths - two crane operators and three workers who were not properly harnessed. However, an inspection showed no structural damage to the building, and construction work was able to restart within a week.[17]

Taipei 101's roof was completed three years later on 1 July 2003. Taipei 101 was completed in 2004. The construction was a joint venture led by Kumagai Gumi, a Japanese construction company, in cooperation with Samsung C&T, a South Korean construction company. Samsung C&T was primarily responsible for the interior work. [18] Ma Ying-jeou, in his first term as Taipei mayor, fastened a golden bolt to signify the achievement.[8] The formal opening of the tower took place on New Year's Eve 2004. President Chen Shui-bian, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng cut the ribbon. Open-air concerts featured a number of popular performers, including singers A-Mei and Stefanie Sun. Visitors rode the elevators to the Observatory for the first time. A few hours later the first fireworks show at Taipei 101 heralded the arrival of a new year.[19][20][21] It replaced the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur as the world's tallest building.[22]

Post-construction

[edit]

The Taipei Financial Center Corporation (TFCC) announced plans on 2 November 2009 to make Taipei 101 "the world's tallest building" by summer of 2011 as measured by LEED standards. The structure was already designed to be energy-efficient, with double-pane windows blocking external heat by 50% and recycled water meeting 20–30% of the building's needs. LEED certification would entail inspections and upgrades in wiring, water and lighting equipment at a cost of NT$60 million (US$1.8 million). Estimates showed the savings resulting from the modifications paid for the cost of making them within three years.[14] The project was carried out under the guidance of an international team composed of Siemens Building Technologies, architect and interior designer Steven Leach Group and the LEED advisory firm EcoTech International.[23] The company applied for a platinum-degree certification with LEED in early 2011.[24] On 28 July 2011, Taipei 101 received LEED platinum certification under "Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance". Although the project cost NT$60 million (US$2.08 million), it is expected to save 14.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, or an 18% energy-saving, equivalent to NT$36 million (US$1.2 million) in energy costs each year.[14] In 2019, it was named among the 50 most influential skyscrapers in the world by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.[25]

On 4 January 2020, the building had a condolence message in lights for the victims of a helicopter crash, which included a number of senior government officials.[26] On 8 February 2020, it was reported that that some passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise liner, quarantined for an outbreak of COVID-19, had visited Taipei 101 on 31 January at which point none exhibited symptoms.[27] On 1 April 2020, the shopping center said it was reducing business hours due to the coronavirus pandemic.[28] It had started checking shopper's temperatures in February.[28][29] On 21 May the building said it would resume normal business hours in June, as the country had effectively limited the spread of COVID-19.[30]

Usages

[edit]

Events and celebrity appearances

[edit]

Taipei 101 is the site of many special events. Art exhibits, as noted above, regularly take place in the Observatory. A few noteworthy dates since the tower's opening include these below:

  • On 25 December 2004, French rock and urban climber Alain Robert made an authorized climb to the top of the pinnacle in four hours.[31]
  • On 28 February 2005, former President of the United States Bill Clinton visited and signed copies of his autobiography.[32]
  • On 19 April 2005, the tower displayed the formula "E=mc2" in lights to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the publication of Einstein's theory of relativity. The display, the largest of 65,000 such displays in 47 countries, was part of the international celebration World Year of Physics 2005.[33]
  • On 20 November 2005, the First annual Taipei 101 Run Up featured a race up the 2,046 steps from floors 1 to 91. Proceeds were to benefit Taiwan's Olympic teams. Run Ups have continued to be held regularly.[34]
  • On 20 October 2006, the tower displayed a pink ribbon in lights to promote breast cancer awareness. The ten-day campaign was sponsored by Taipei 101's ownership and Estée Lauder.[33]
  • On 12 December 2007, Austrian BASE jumper Felix Baumgartner survived an unauthorized parachute jump from the 91st floor. Baumgartner was banned from re-entry into Taiwan and Taipei 101 increased security measures along with disciplining security staff for failing to intervene.[35]
  • On 6 December 2014, Japanese idol group HKT48 held a small concert on the 91st-floor observatory as the premiere of their tour in Taiwan.[36][37]

New Year's Eve fireworks displays

[edit]

The New Year's Eve Show in Taipei is held at the Taipei City Hall. Visitors have a view of Taipei 101 which is surrounded by fireworks at midnight.[38] Another popular location for crowds to gather to see the fireworks display is the public square of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.[39]

Architecture and design

[edit]

Height

[edit]

Various sources, including the building's owners, give the height of Taipei 101 as 508 m (1,667 ft), roof height and top floor height as 448 m (1,470 ft) and 438 m (1,437 ft). This lower figure is derived by measuring from the top of a 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) platform at the base.[1][8] CTBUH standards, though, include the height of the platform in calculating the overall height, as it represents part of the man-made structure and is above the level of the surrounding pavement.[40][41][42][43] Taipei 101 displaced the Petronas Towers as the tallest building in the world by 57.3 m (188 ft).[41][44] The record it claimed for greatest height from ground to pinnacle was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which is 829.8 m (2,722 ft) in height. Taipei 101's records for roof height and highest occupied floor briefly passed to the Shanghai World Financial Center in 2008, which in turn yielded these records as well to the Burj.[40][41]

Taipei 101 was the world's tallest building, at 508.2 m (1,667 ft) as measured to its architectural top (spire), exceeding that of the Petronas Towers, which were previously the tallest skyscraper at 451.9 m (1,483 ft). The height to the top of the roof, at 449.2 m (1,474 ft), and highest occupied floor, at 439.2 m (1,441 ft), surpassed the previous records of the Willis Tower: 442 m (1,450 ft) and 412.4 m (1,353 ft), respectively.[8][40][42][41][43] It also surpassed the 85-story, 347.5 m (1,140 ft) Tuntex Sky Tower in Kaohsiung as the tallest building in Taiwan and the 51-story, 244.15 m (801 ft) Shin Kong Life Tower as the tallest building in Taipei.[45][46]

Taipei 101 comprises 101 floors above ground, as well as five basement levels. The first building to break the half-kilometer mark in height,[8] it was the world's tallest building from 31 March 2004 to 10 March 2010 (six years)[47][48] until it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in 2010. For 12 years it also had the fastest elevator, at 61 kilometres per hour (38 mph). It also has the largest wind damper in the world, at 18 feet across.[49] As of 2023, Taipei 101 is the eleventh-tallest building in the world, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat's official rankings.[13]

Structural design

[edit]

Taipei 101 is designed to withstand typhoon winds and earthquake tremors that are common in the area in the east of Taiwan. Evergreen Consulting Engineering, the structural engineer, designed Taipei 101 to withstand gale winds of 60 meters per second (197 ft/s), (216 km/h or 134 mph), as well as the strongest earthquakes in a 2,500-year cycle.[50]

Location of Taipei 101's largest tuned mass damper

Taipei 101 was designed to be flexible as well as structurally resistant, because while flexibility prevents structural damage, resistance ensures comfort both for the occupants and for the protection of the glass, curtain walls, and other features. Most designs achieve the necessary strength by enlarging critical structural elements such as bracing. Because of the height of Taipei 101, combined with the surrounding area's geology—the building is located just 660 ft (200 m) away from a major fault line[51] Outrigger trusses, located at eight-floor intervals, connect the columns in the building's core to those on the exterior.[17]

These features, combined with the solidity of its foundation, made Taipei 101 one of the most stable buildings ever constructed.[52] The foundation is reinforced by 380 piles driven 80 m (262 ft) into the ground, extending as far as 30 m (98 ft) into the bedrock. Each pile is 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in diameter and can bear a load of 1,000–1,320 metric tons (1,100–1,460 short tons).[53]

Motioneering designed a 660-metric-ton (728-short-ton)[54][55][56] steel pendulum that serves as a tuned mass damper, at a cost of NT$132 million (US$4 million).[57] Suspended from the 92nd to the 88th floor, the pendulum sways to offset movements in the building caused by strong gusts. The tuned mass damper is visible to all visitors on the 88th through 92nd floors. It can reduce up to 40% of the tower's movements.[58] Its ball, the largest damper ball in the world, consists of 41 circular steel plates of varying diameters, each 125 mm (4.92 in) thick, welded together to form a 5.5-meter-diameter (18 ft) ball. Two additional tuned mass dampers, each weighing 6 metric tons (7 short tons), are installed at the tip of the spire which help prevent damage to the structure due to strong wind loads.[57][59] On 8 August 2015, strong winds from Typhoon Soudelor swayed the main damper by 1 meter (39 in)—the largest movement ever recorded by the damper.[60][61]

The damper has become such a popular tourist attraction that the city contracted Sanrio to create a mascot: the Damper Baby. Four versions of the Damper Baby ("Rich Gold", "Cool Black", "Smart Silver" and "Lucky Red") were designed and made into figurines and souvenirs sold in various Taipei 101 gift shops. Damper Baby has become a popular local icon, with its own comic book and website.[62][63][64]

Structural facade

[edit]
Taipei skyline in 2022
View from the base of the tower, looking up
ruyi figure over one of the building's entrances
Feng shui fountain outside Taipei 101
Fireworks display on the building
Tip of Taipei 101

Taipei 101's characteristic blue-green glass curtain walls are double paned and glazed, offer heat and UV protection sufficient to block external heat by 50%, and can sustain impacts of 7 metric tons (8 short tons).[50] The facade system of glass and aluminum panels installed into an inclined movement-resisting lattice contributes to overall lateral rigidity by tying back to the mega-columns with one-story high trusses at every eighth floor. This facade system is, therefore, able to withstand up to 95 mm (4 in) of seismic lateral displacements without damage.[65] The facade system is also known as a Damper.

The original corners of the facade were tested at RWDI in Ontario, Canada. A simulation of a 100-year storm at RWDI revealed a vortex that formed during a 3-second 105-mile-per-hour (169 km/h) wind at a height of 10 meters, or equivalent to the lateral tower sway rate causing large crosswind oscillations. A double chamfered step design was found to dramatically reduce this crosswind oscillation, resulting in the final design's "double stairstep" corner facade.[66] Architect C.Y. Lee also used extensive facade elements to represent the symbolic identity he pursued. These facade elements included the green tinted glass for the indigenous slender bamboo look, eight upper outwards inclined tiers of pagoda each with eight floors, a ruyi and a money box symbol between the two facade sections among others.[67]

Taipei 101's own roof and facade recycled water system meets 20–30% of the building's water needs. In July 2011, Taipei 101 was certified "the world's tallest green building" under LEED standards.[68]

Symbolism

[edit]

The height of 101 floors commemorates the renewal of time: the new century that arrived as the tower was built (100+1) and all the new years that follow (1 January = 1-01). It symbolizes lofty ideals by going one better on 100, a traditional number of perfection. The number also evokes the binary numeral system used in digital technology.[69]

The main tower features a series of eight segments of eight floors each. In Chinese-speaking cultures the number eight is associated with abundance, prosperity and good fortune.[70][71]

The repeated segments simultaneously recall the rhythms of an Asian pagoda (a tower linking earth and sky, also evoked in the Petronas Towers), a stalk of bamboo (an icon of learning and growth), and a stack of ancient Chinese ingots or money boxes (a symbol of abundance). Popular humor sometimes likens the building's shape to a stack of take-out boxes as used in Western-style Chinese food; of course, the stackable shape of such boxes is likewise derived from that of ancient money boxes.[72] The four discs mounted on each face of the building where the pedestal meets the tower represent coins. The emblem placed over entrances shows three gold coins of ancient Chinese design with central holes shaped to imply the Arabic numerals 1-0-1.[69] The structure incorporates many shapes of squares and circles to symbolize yin and yang.[69]

Curled ruyi figures appear throughout the structure as a design motif. Though the shape of each ruyi at Taipei 101 is traditional, its rendering in industrial metal is plainly modern. The ruyi is a talisman of ancient origin associated in art with heavenly clouds. It connotes healing, protection and fulfillment. It appears in celebrations of the attainment of new career heights.[73][74] The sweeping curved roof of the adjoining mall culminates in a colossal ruyi that shades pedestrians.[74] Each ruyi ornament on the exterior of the Taipei 101 tower stands at least 8 m (26 ft) tall.[75]

At night the bright yellow gleam from its pinnacle casts Taipei 101 in the role of a candle or torch upholding the ideals of liberty and welcome. From 6 to 10 p.m.,[76] the tower's lights display one of seven colors, according to a weekly schedule.[77]

Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Color red orange yellow green blue indigo violet

From 26 February to 6 March 2022, the typical colors were replaced by blue and yellow in solidarity with Ukraine, in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[78]

The adjoining Taipei 101 on the east side connects the landmark further with the symbolism of time. The design of the circular park doubles as the face of a giant sundial. The tower itself casts the shadow to mark afternoon hours for the building's occupants. The park's design is echoed in a clock that stands at its entrance. The clock runs on wind power drawn from the building's wind shear.[79]

Taipei 101, like many of its neighboring buildings, exemplifies the influence of feng shui philosophy. An example appears in the form of a large granite fountain at the intersection of Songlian Road and Xinyi Road near the tower's east entrance.[80] A ball at the fountain's top spins toward the tower. As a work of public art the fountain offers a contrast to the tower in texture even as its design echoes the tower's rhythms. The fountain also serves a practical function in feng shui philosophy. A T intersection near the entrance of a building represents a potential drain of positive energy, or ch'i, from the structure and its occupants.[81][82] Placing flowing water at such spots is thought to help redirect the flow of ch'i.[83][84]

Interior

[edit]
Taipei 101 Mall

Two restaurants have opened on the 85th floor: Diamond Tony's, which offers European-style seafood and steak, and 85TD, which offers Chinese style cuisine. Occupying all of the 86th floor is Taiwanese high-class buffet restaurant A Joy [zh].[85] Din Tai Fung, several international dining establishments and retail outlets also operate in the adjoining mall. The multistory retail mall adjoining the tower is home to hundreds of fashionable stores, restaurants, clubs and other attractions. The mall's interior is modern in design even as it makes use of traditional elements. The curled ruyi symbol is a recurring motif inside the mall. Many features of the interior also observe feng shui traditions.[84]

Floor directory

[edit]

A tenant directory is posted in the first floor's lobby (visible from the Xinyi entrance). The number 4 is considered an unlucky number in Chinese culture, so instead the 44th floor is renamed the 43rd, and the actual 43rd floor becomes 42A.[86] As of 1 January 2011, the highest occupied office floor (excluding the observatory and restaurants) was 75. The building appears to be at least 70% occupied at this point. The 92nd through 100th floors are officially designated as communication floors, although it is unknown if there are any radio or TV stations currently broadcasting from the top of Taipei 101. The 101st floor indoor/outdoor rooftop observatory opened to the public on 14 June 2019.[87] The top 92-100 floors are labeled as communications floors.[88]

Elevator

[edit]
Taipei 101, first from right, compared with other tallest buildings

The double-deck elevators built by the Japanese Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corporation (TELC) set a new record in 2004 with the fastest ascending speeds in the world. At 60.6 kilometers (37.7 mi) per hour, 16.83 m (55.22 ft) per second, or 1,010 m/min,[89] the speed of Taipei 101's elevators is 34.7% faster than the previous record holders of the Yokohama Landmark Tower elevator, Yokohama, Japan, which reaches speeds of 12.5 m (41 ft) per second (45 km/h, 28 mph). Taipei 101's elevators transport visitors from the fifth floor to the 89th-floor observatory in 37 seconds.[a] Each elevator features an aerodynamic body, full pressurization, state-of-the art emergency braking systems, and the world's first triple-stage anti-overshooting system. The cost for each elevator is NT$80 million (US$2.4 million).[90][91] In 2016, the title for the fastest elevator was taken away by the Shanghai Tower in Shanghai.[92] Shortly after, the title for the world's fastest elevator was passed on yet again to the Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre.[93]

Artworks

[edit]

Many works of art appear in and around Taipei 101. These include: German artist Rebecca Horn's Dialog between Yin and Yang in 2002 (steel, iron), American artist Robert Indiana's 1-0 in 2002 and Love in 2003 (aluminum), French artist Ariel Moscovici's Between Earth and Sky in 2002 (rose de la claret granite), Taiwanese artist Chung Pu's Global Circle In 2002 (black granite, white marble), British artist Jill Watson's City Composition in 2002 (Bronze), and Taiwanese artist Kang Mu Hsiang's Infinite Life in 2013 (aluminum).[15] Moreover, the Indoor Observatory hosts a regular series of exhibitions. The artists represented have included Wu Ching (gold sculpture), Ping-huang Chang (traditional painting) and Po-lin Chi (aerial photography).[33]

Floor plan

[edit]
Levels Purposes
101 Outdoor Observation Deck (Skyline 460/ Sky Top)
100 Mechanical
99
98
97
96
95
94
93
92 Tuned Mass Damper
91 Outdoor Observatory Deck (Sky Deck)
90 Mechanical
89 Indoor Observatory Deck (Sky View) / KafeD (Coffee Cafe) / Taipei 101 Souvenir Shop
88 Indoor Observatory Deck (Exit Floor) / Simple Kaffa Sola (Coffee Cafe)
87 Mechanical
86 Restaurant A Joy
85 Diamond Tony's 101 Panorama,

85TD

84 High Zone Office
83 Morgan Stanley
82 Mechanical
81 Alliance Bernstein
80 CARDIF Assurance Vie, Taiwan Branch
79
78 CARDIF Assurances Risques Divers, Taiwan Branch
77 CIMB Securities Limited
76 CIMB Securities Limited, RBS Securities (Room C-D)
75
74 Mechanical
73 Google
72 BNP Paribas
71 BNP Paribas
70 ING Wholesale Bank
69
68 KPMG
67
66 Mechanical
65
64
63
62 Chien Yeh Law Offices
61 Boston Consulting Group (Unit F), Air China, KPMG, Natixis
60 Skylobby
59 Skylobby
58 Mid Zone Office Mechanical
57 The Executive Centre / Amicorp
56
55 Legg Mason (Suite E), Bayer
54 Bayer / HSBC Securities (Taiwan) Corporation Limited
53 Bayer
52 HRnetOne
51 Winterthur Life (Taiwan Branch)
50 Mechanical
49 S&P Global
48 Bank of America
47 McKinsey & Company
46 Development Dimensions International, Canonical
45 Perkins Coie (Suite F), Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (Unit D)
43
42A Bank of America
42 Mechanical
41
40
39 French Office in Taipei
38 Volvo
37 The Executive Centre, Crimson Education, VF Corporation
36 Skylobby

Taipei 101 Conference Center[2]

Sui Business Lounge

35 Skylobby/ Rookie Shumai 35 VEGEtable (Restaurant)
34 Low Office Zone Mechanical
33 German Institute Taipei
32
31
30 Nomura (Asset Management)
29 Bank of Communications (Taipei Branch)
28 DBS Bank
27 Korn Ferry (Room D-1), Morningstar
26 Mechanical
25
24 Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe C-1,
23 L'Oreal
22 L'Oreal
21 PPD, Inc. Unit A,
20 Jones Lang LaSalle
19
18 Mechanical
17
16
15 ANZ
14 ANZ
13 Coupang
12 Taiwan Stock Exchange
11 Taiwan Stock Exchange
10 Taiwan Stock Exchange
9 Taiwan Stock Exchange
8 Mechanical
7
6 Gymnasium
5 Taipei 101 Shopping Mall Taipei 101 Observatory Ticket Entrance
4
3
2 Lobby
1
B1 Taipei 101–World Trade Center Station Metro (Exit 4)
B2 Parking Lot
B3
B4
B5

Observation deck

[edit]
91F outdoor observatory at 391.8 m (1,285 ft)
89F indoor observatory
Entrance to Taipei 101 Observation Deck, with Damper Baby

Taipei 101 features an indoor observation deck on the 88th and 89th floors, and two outdoor observation decks (91st floor and 101st floor), all offering 360-degree views and attract visitors from around the world. The Indoor Observatory stands 383.4 m (1,258 ft) above ground, offering a comfortable environment, large windows with UV protection, recorded voice tours in eight languages, and informative displays and special exhibits. Here, one may view the skyscraper's main damper, which is the world's largest and heaviest visible damper, and buy food, drinks and gift items. Two more flights of stairs take visitors up to the Outdoor Observatory. The Outdoor Observatories, at 391.8 m (1,285 ft) and 449.2 m (1,474 ft) above ground,[8][94] is the second-highest observation deck ever provided in a skyscraper and the highest such platform in Taiwan.[45][95]

The Indoor Observatory is open thirteen hours a day (9:00 am–10:00 pm) throughout the week as well as on special occasions; the Outdoor Observatory is open during the same hours as weather permits. Tickets may be purchased on site in the shopping mall (5th floor) or in advance through the Observatory's website[96] and allow access to the 88th through 91st floors via high-speed elevator.[97]

In 2019, its 101 top floor opened for the first time to the public,[98] starting 14 June with only 36 people given access each day.[99] The 91st-floor observatory used to be the highest floor that open to the public until 14 June 2019 when it was announced by the building's management team that the 101st floor (at 460 meters above sea level) will be opened to the general public, with a quota of 36 people per day and is subject to prior booking.[98] Going onto the outdoor viewing platform requires safety equipment, such as a safety belt buckled to the railing.[100]

Awards

[edit]

On its opening date, Taipei 101 was awarded the Emporis Skyscraper Award, coming in 1st place.[101] Taipei 101 was awarded the top award platinum rating, by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the globally recognized green building ranking system of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making the skyscraper the tallest energy conservation building in the world.[102] In 2017, Taipei 101 was awarded the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Award (AREA).[103] Taipei 101 was awarded the CTBUH Skyscraper Award on the Performance award category.[104]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b 1,010 m/min elevator speed makes this true

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Taipei 101". CTBUH Skyscraper Center.. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Corporate Sustainability Report 2013. Taipei: Taipei World Financial Center. 2014.
  3. ^ "Taipei 101, Taipei". SkyscraperPage.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b "TAIPEI 101 – The Skyscraper Center". skyscrapercenter.com. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  5. ^ 2001-10: Wins the contract for Taipei 101 (101 levels, 508 meters), then the world's tallest building. History - Company - Samsung C&T Archived 28 September 2022 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Building Taipei 101". 18 January 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Samsung C&T". Lakhta Center. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Emporis building ID 100765". Emporis. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link). Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  9. ^ "Taipei 101". SkyscraperPage.. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  10. ^ Taipei 101 at Structurae. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  11. ^ "The 100 Tallest Completed Buildings in the World in 2024 - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  12. ^ a b "World's fastest elevator: In Taiwan, the skyscraper's elevator travels at 60 km/h". Toronto Star. 23 January 2013. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  13. ^ a b "The 100 Tallest Completed Buildings in the world in 2023 - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  14. ^ a b c "Taipei 101 receives top certification from green rating council - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. 29 July 2011. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  15. ^ a b Binder, Georges (2008). Taipei 101. Victoria, Australia: Images Publishing Group. p. 20. ISBN 9781864702484. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  16. ^ Keith Bradsher. Taiwan Close to Reaching a Lofty Goal Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine. The New York Times. 11 January 2004. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  17. ^ a b Anal Sheth. Taipei 101, Taiwan. Structural Engineering Digest. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  18. ^ "Samsung C&T, expanding to the world, has won a new large-scale project". Samsung C&T Newsroom. 21 July 2023.
  19. ^ Taipei 101 Mall thronged on opening day Archived 17 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Taiwan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan). 21 March 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  20. ^ Stacy Hsu. New building may put an end to the Taipei 101 New Year's Eve fireworks Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine. The Taipei Times. 25 September 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  21. ^ New year ushered in by having a blast Archived 17 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan). 7 January 2005. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  22. ^ "Taipei 101: Exploring one of the tallest buildings in the world". CNET. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  23. ^ LEED certified: The tallest "green" building in the world Archived 19 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Siemens Building Technologies.
  24. ^ "Taipei 101 to become world's tallest green building in Q3". Focus Taiwan News Channel. 15 January 2011. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  25. ^ "Taipei 101 named among 50 most influential skyscrapers in world". Taiwan News. 30 October 2019. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Taipei 101 salutes generals who died in helicopter crash". Taiwan News. 4 January 2020. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  27. ^ "Passengers of quarantined cruise liner visited Taipei 101 - Focus Taiwan". focustaiwan.tw. 8 February 2020. Archived from the original on 8 February 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  28. ^ a b "Taipei 101 to cut business hours as demand declines – Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. 1 April 2020. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  29. ^ "Taipei 101, SOGO say no to visitors with high temperatures - Focus Taiwan". focustaiwan.tw. 28 February 2020. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  30. ^ "Taipei 101 to resume normal business hours in June - Focus Taiwan". focustaiwan.tw. 21 May 2020. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  31. ^ 'Spiderman' scales tallest tower" Archived 17 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine. BBC News. 25 December 2005.
  32. ^ Chen, Melody (1 March 2005). "Clinton praises Taiwan's leaders during brief visit". The Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  33. ^ a b c 101季刊 eNewsletter Archived 5 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Taipei World Financial Center. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  34. ^ Taiwan News (14 September 2023). "Registration opens for 2023 Taipei 101 Run Up marathon | Taiwan News | 2023-09-14 17:51:00". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  35. ^ "Austrian daredevil barred from re-entry: NIA official - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. 14 December 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  36. ^ "HKT48 台北ライブの前夜祭を台北101・91Fの展望台で開催!". ライブドアニュース (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  37. ^ "Facts of Taipei 101, the former World's Tallest Building". The Tower Info. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  38. ^ Tourism Administration, Republic of China (Taiwan) (2 April 2008). "Tourism Administration, Republic of China (Taiwan)-Events Calendar". Tourism Administration, Republic of China (Taiwan). Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  39. ^ Rob (3 July 2023). "The Best Spots to See the Taipei 101 NYE Fireworks 2023/2024". Taipei Travel Geek. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  40. ^ a b c CTBUH Height Criteria Archived 30 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine. CTBUH. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  41. ^ a b c d Height: The History of Measuring Tall Buildings Archived 10 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine. CTBUH. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  42. ^ a b CTBUH changes height criteria, Burj Dubai height increases Archived 5 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine. CTBUH. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  43. ^ a b Taipei skyscraper deemed tallest Archived 3 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Associated Press. Paragraph abstract: The council measures from the sidewalk level of the main entrance to the skyscraper's architectural top.
  44. ^ "Taiwan tops out tallest building". BBC News. 17 October 2003. Archived from the original on 6 January 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  45. ^ a b Ai-Li, Jian & Neng-You, Wang. 與天爭高,心意最重要 新光摩天大樓 Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. 閱讀臺北. Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government. April 2009, Vol. 486. (Chinese).
  46. ^ List of skyscrapers in Taiwan Archived 20 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine. SkyscraperPage. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  47. ^ "Height: The History of Measuring Tall Buildings". Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. December 2009. Archived from the original on 19 September 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  48. ^ "Tallest Trends and the Burj Khalifa". Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. 10 March 2010. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  49. ^ Morrison, Geoffrey. "Taipei 101: We went 390m/1280ft above Taiwan to check out one of the world's tallest buildings". CNET. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  50. ^ a b Observatory brochure, Floor 89, Taipei 101. 17 August 2007.
  51. ^ Patowary, Kaushik. "The 728-Ton Tuned Mass Damper of Taipei 101". Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  52. ^ "Taipei 101 tower named 'world's toughest' building by Popular Mechanics". Building Design + Construction. 22 October 2015. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  53. ^ "Building Taipei 101". AZoBuild. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  54. ^ VISCOUS DAMPERS FOR HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Indian Institute of Technologies. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  55. ^ CTOT commemorates Canada and Taiwan ingenuity Archived 23 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. China Post. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  56. ^ Canadian wind dampers hold sway over world's tallest condos . The Canada Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  57. ^ a b Tuned Mass Damper Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Taipei World Financial Center. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  58. ^ "Tuned Mass Damper of Taipei 101". Atlas Obscura. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  59. ^ "Taipei 101" (PDF). Motioneering. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 April 2010.
  60. ^ "Damper at Taipei 101 records biggest movement ever". Focus Taiwan. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  61. ^ "How a Skyscraper Stays Upright in a Typhoon". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on 12 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  62. ^ "Taipei 101: Not the Tallest Building in the World, But Still Pretty Cool". Condé Nast Traveler. 19 March 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  63. ^ "The Asian Dream According to Taipei 101 and its Damper Babies ~ HAYPINAS.ORG: OVERSEAS FILIPINO CHANNEL". Archived from the original on 19 November 2015.
  64. ^ Binder, Georges (2008). Taipei 101. Images Publishing. p. 82. ISBN 9781864702484.
  65. ^ "Taipei 101". All About Skyscrapers. 2009. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  66. ^ SnarkyNomad (26 December 2013). "Why Taipei 101 is the coolest skyscraper on the planet". Snarky Nomad. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  67. ^ Structuremag.org. Taipei 101 the worlds tallest building Archived 9 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine. 6 June 2005.
  68. ^ "Taipei 101 to become world's tallest green building next year". Taiwan News. 1 April 2010. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  69. ^ a b c Huyssteen, Justin van (25 August 2022). "Taipei 101 Tower - Visiting the World-Renowned Taipei Skyscraper". Art in Context. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  70. ^ Ang, Swee Hoon (1997). "Chinese consumers' perception of alpha-numeric brand names". Journal of Consumer Marketing. 14 (3): 220–233. doi:10.1108/07363769710166800. Archived from the original on 5 December 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  71. ^ Steven C. Bourassa; Vincent S. Peng (1999). "Hedonic Prices and House Numbers: The Influence of Feng Shui" (PDF). International Real Estate Review. 2 (1): 79–93. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  72. ^ Duchaine, Julie; Hughes, Holly; Flippin, Alexis Lipsitz; Murphy, Sylvie (2010). Frommer's 500 Extraordinary Islands. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9780470595190.
  73. ^ "Ru Yi at Feng Shui Bestbuy". fengshuibestbuy.com. Archived from the original on 6 September 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  74. ^ a b "Taipei 101: Reaching for The Sky". Internet Archive. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  75. ^ "New World's Tallest Building Completed in Taipei, Taiwan". San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, CA). 21 October 2003. Archived from the original on 5 January 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  76. ^ Lights Schedule Archived 5 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Taipei World Financial Center. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  77. ^ Lighting Timetable Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Taipei World Financial Center. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  78. ^ Strong, Matthew (26 February 2022). "Photo of the Day: Taipei 101 lights up in colors of the Ukrainian flag | Taiwan News | 26 February 2022 20:19:00". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  79. ^ Public signage placed at Taipei 101 clock.
  80. ^ "Taipei 101, Bigger is not Better (台北101, 更大不等於更好)". Taiwan Design Center. 15 September 2004. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  81. ^ T for Two – Two Feng Shui Tips for T-Intersections Archived 17 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
  82. ^ dreaded T-intersection and cul-de-sac Archived 6 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
  83. ^ Kline, T. C.; Ivanhoe, P. J., eds. (2000). Virtue, Nature, and Moral Agency in the Xunzi. Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. pp. 220–236. ISBN 9780872205222.
  84. ^ a b Norris, Graham. "Taking it to the Skies". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  85. ^ "Sky Dining of Taipei 101". Taipei World Financial Center. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  86. ^ "Taipei 101 Facts: 8 Interesting Facts about Taipei 101 – The Tower Info". thetowerinfo.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  87. ^ "Taipei 101 to open top floor to public for the first time". 14 June 2019. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021 – via YouTube.
  88. ^ "Taipei 101: views of and from one of the tallest buildings in the world". CNET. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  89. ^ Reporter, Curtis Rush Staff (23 January 2013). "World's fastest elevator: In Taiwan, skyscraper's lift travels at 60 km/h". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  90. ^ "World's Fastest Elevator". Popular Mechanics. 7 December 2004. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  91. ^ Deulgaonkar, Parag (24 January 2013). "Fastest elevator: Taipei 101; Burj Khalifa 3rd - News - Emirates - Emirates24|7". www.emirates247.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  92. ^ Jenni Marsh; Jane Sit (6 October 2016). "Which 3 Guinness World Records did the Shanghai Tower just win?". CNN. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  93. ^ "Hitachi reaches 1,260 m/min, the World's Fastest*1 Speedwith Ultra-High-Speed Elevator" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  94. ^ Exploring Taipei – The heights, lights and sights of Taipei, Taiwan Archived 13 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Travel magazine. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  95. ^ Jackie Lin. Shin Kong Tower Observatory to close by year-end Archived 1 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine. The Taipei Times. 25 September 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  96. ^ Floor Guide Archived 21 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Taipei World Financial Center. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  97. ^ Observatory Visit Information Archived 21 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Taipei World Financial Center. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  98. ^ a b "Taipei 101's top floor opens to public for first time". Taiwan News. 14 June 2019. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  99. ^ "Taipei 101 to open top floor to public for the first time". RTI Radio Taiwan International. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  100. ^ Rob (5 March 2023). "Taipei 101 Observatory: How to get Cheap Tickets & Best Times to Visit". Taipei Travel Geek. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  101. ^ "Attractions". Shangri-La Far Eastern, Taipei. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  102. ^ "Taipei 101 honored as world's tallest green building". 29 July 2011. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  103. ^ "Taipei 101 receives 'green' award". 29 June 2016. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  104. ^ "7 Skyscrapers Leading the Way to a Green Future". 17 August 2019. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
Records
Preceded by
Petronas Towers
451.9 m (1,483 ft)
World's tallest building
509.2 m (1,671 ft)

2004–2009
Succeeded by
Burj Khalifa
829.8 m (2,722 ft)
Preceded by
Willis Tower
442 m (1,450 ft) & 412.4 m (1,353 ft)
World's highest roof & highest occupied floor
449.2 m (1,474 ft) & 439.2 m (1,441 ft)

2003–2008
Succeeded by
Shanghai World Financial Center
492 m (1,614 ft) & 474 m (1,555 ft)
Preceded by
Yokohama Landmark Tower
12.5 m/s (41 ft/s) (45 km/h, 28 mph)
World's fastest elevator
16.83 m/s (55.22 ft/s) (60.6 km/h, 37.7 mph)

2003–2016
Succeeded by
Shanghai Tower
20.5 m/s (67.26 ft/s) (73.8 km/h, 45.9 mph)
Preceded by
Tuntex Sky Tower
347.5 m (1,140 ft)
Tallest building in Taiwan
509.2 m (1,671 ft)

2004–present
Incumbent
Preceded by World's tallest & highest-use green building
(LEED platinum rating)

2011–present
Preceded by
Environmental Protection Agency building
(Florida, U.S.)
World's largest green building
(LEED platinum rating)

2011–present
Preceded by
Unknown
World's largest & heaviest wind damper
diameter 5.5 m (18 ft) & 660 metric tons (728 short tons)

2003–present
Preceded by
unknown
World's tallest building of earthquake hotspot
(platinum rating)

2003–present