Project: Okhta Centre
Designed by RMJM
Location: Russia
Website: www.rmjm.com
RMJM was appointed to design the new headquarters of one of the world’s largest companies – Russian gas giant Gazprom in December 2006. Their winning proposal is a 396 metre high twisting glass needle which echoes the spires across the city of St Petersburg.
RMJM’s designs for the development propose a new spire for the city. The inspiration for the design comes from the concept of energy in water – the site is located the River Neva, with the form of the building deriving its shape from the changing nature of water, ever changing light, reflections and refraction. The five-sided tower twists as it rises to delicately touch the sky.
RMJM’s proposal also features a unique environmental strategy, which acts as a low energy ‘fur coat’. The double-layered skin of the tower will allow the maximization of daylight and the minimization of heat loss in the extreme St Petersburg environment. – From RMJM
