The project developed for this competition by Joseph di Pasquale and AM Progetti is based on two important principles: cultural sustainability (combining Chinese tradition with Western and Italian tradition) and eco-sustainability (adopting different solutions for energy conservation and to decrease environmental impact).

The complex, overlooking Siping Road, is a big door, partially open and 100 metres high. This building, with a strong symbolic value, allows people to travel through space and time back to Marco Polo:

the first connection between the Italian and the Chinese culture.

SIO carried out, for AM Progetti, the structural concept design proposing different structural types and schemes. Reinforced concrete slabs at the underground floors (to reduce fire resistance costs); reinforced concrete cores with steel columns and slabs (for the other floors for fast execution times); multi-floor steel beam truss

(to reach a height of 100 metres and connect the top of the portal). These structural choices minimize operating costs and maintenance.

The project was the winner of this competition.

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