Taipei 101

A Taiwanese icon of modernity - Looming some 101 stories over Taipei, the Taipei 101 is the world’s tallest skyscraper. While its design was inspired by that of the traditional Taiwanese pagoda, the structure has become a symbol of Taiwan’s modernity – a celebration of both Taiwan’s history and promising future.

Also known as the Taipei Financial Center, the landmark skyscraper is located in the Xinyi District of Taipei City. The building became the world's tallest skyscraper upon its completion in 2004 and in the same year was awarded the Emporis Skyscraper Award. It has since been hailed as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World (Newsweek magazine, 2006) and Seven Wonders of Engineering (Discovery Channel, 2005).

Taipei 101 comprises 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground, with its lifts capable of reaching speeds of up to 67km/h. Its postmodernist approach to style incorporates traditional design elements infused with modern architectural influences. The tower is designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes. A multi-level shopping mall adjoining the tower houses hundreds of fashionable stores, restaurants and clubs. Fireworks launched from Taipei 101 feature prominently in international New Year's Eve broadcasts and the structure appears frequently in travel literature and international media.

The name of the tower reflects its floor count and carries symbolic meanings alluding to technology and Asian tradition. 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 (January 1 = 1-01). It symbolizes high ideals by going one better on 100, a traditional number of perfection. The number also evokes the binary numeral system used in digital technology.

The main tower features a series of eight segments of eight floors each. In Chinese culture the number eight is associated with abundance, prosperity and good fortune. In cultures that observe a seven-day week the number eight symbolizes a renewal of time (7+1). In digital technology the number eight is associated with the byte, being 8 bits.

The towers ornaments and design are also influenced by feng shui philosophy. An example appears in the form of a large granite fountain near the tower’s east entrance. 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. Yet 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 a structure and its occupants. Flowing water placed at such spots remedy the situation by generating a positive inward flow of ch'i. The fountain applies a traditional solution to a traditional challenge yet its design remains modern.

The Taipei 101 showcases Taiwan’s duality of modernity and ancient history – a marvel of modern architecture, infused with the traditions of Taiwan’s past, creating a unique work of art unsurpassed in the world.