One of China's most notable construction ventures, the US$2.4 billion (€2.1 billion) 121-storey Shanghai Tower is due to open this year. It is situated in the Lujiazui commercial district. Built to a height of 632m, it is China's second tallest building. The project was started in 2008, and is said to have had to contend with a number of technical challenges during its construction. These have included a 60-hour continuous concrete pumping operation as part of its dense foundations, which feature a total of 1,079 concrete and steel reinforced bore piles. The slender design of the building has been created in order to minimise wind resistance. According to the company behind the tower, US-based Gensler, challenges have included assembling more than 100 expert panels for analysis of its structural plans. The company said sustainability has been central to its development - including devising a transparent second skin wrapped around the building.
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