IntroductionAutobiography of Taipei 101InitiationConstruction
Characteristics of the ArchitectureShopping Center: Taipei 101 MallOffice FloorsObservatories

An outstanding landmark building is well able to transform the city at the time where it is constructed. Take the Eiffel Tower , or the Empire State Building for example, and we can easily see their impacts on Paris and New York City since the day they were erected.

For the Twenty-first Century, Taipei needs a grand display in the world stage. With the height of five hundred and eight meters, equating one hundred and one floors above and five floors below the ground, the Taipei 101 naturally carries its slogan “Bringing Taipei to the World”. The TAIPEI in Taipei 101 also conveys Technologies, Arts, Innovations, Environment, and Identity.

Taipei 101 is located in the more prestigious Xin Yi District in Taipei , and it is the largest per building project in the history of Taiwan . Taipei Financial Building Company was formed with fourteen domestic enterprises as principle partners. Together with both domestic and foreign experts, the chief architect Mr. C. Y. Lee conceived a structure consisting block units of eight floors each on top of another, forming a vertical rhythm unique from other super structures of its kind, while employing the lucky number 8 of the Chinese tradition.

The multi-link exterior of Taipei 101 serves a very important aerodynamic purpose: each 8-floor unit forms an independent space which counters the air disturbance caused by the super structure building. At the bottom of each 8 floors, a green zone is incorporated for plantation, thus providing a safety zone for the occupants while increasing the environmental comfort. Resembling the form of a giant bamboo, the building appears to be a growing upwards link after link, symbolizing the never receding growth energy constantly praised and celebrated in the Chinese traditions. The glasses utilized with non-reflective, heat insulating, and high transparent properties form a barrier from non-welcoming factors outside yet allows non-obscuring view of the sky above and the cityscape below.

Mr. Ron Klemencic, chairman of the “Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat”, presented the certificate of “World's Tallest Building ” to Ms. Diana Chen, chairwoman of Taipei 101, on October 8, 2004 . According to Mr. Klemencic, The Council's board has certified Taipei 101 with the titles of “World's Tallest Building ”, “World's Highest Utilized Floor”, and “World's Highest Rooftop”.

The Fantastic 9 visited Mr. Chung-Ping Wang, an established architect. He told them how high technology materials and lighting can be used to create visual harmony between a man-made structure with its surrounding natural environment. A great building must interact with people, and the Taipei 101, with its shopping arcade, commercial office floors, and the view deck, not only has it become the architectural landmark of Taiwan , but also has it transform into an element in culturally and socially. People who live in and near Taipei look to it in the skyline, elsewhere in Taiwan Taipei 101 can always be seen in news, commercials, music videos, and TV dramas.