Perched on the coast of Yantai in China, Open Architecture’s Sun Tower is a contemporary monument to the sun. Sited on land with deep historical ties to ancient sun-worshipping culture, the project serves as both a tribute to natural phenomena and a vital public facility—the Sun Tower has been designed to align to solar events – openings in the structure frame the sun during solstices and equinoxes - transforming the pavilion into a solar calendar.
Shaped like a spiral flame or an abstracted solar flare, the tower’s 50-metre-high form is constructed from weathering steel and glass, catching and reflecting sunlight throughout the day. It functions as a solar observatory, offering immersive experiences of light.
Constructed from two shell-like white concrete volumes, the building’s inner concave wall acts as an acoustic mirror, capturing ocean sounds. Inside, the library offers traditional and digital collections and the Phenomena Space features an oculus.
Powered by solar energy collected on-site, the tower also glows after dark—becoming a luminous and towering beacon. The Sun Tower is a quiet yet powerful homage to the sun, encouraging design practices that reflect the natural cycles.
