Relationship between services

In the Pearl River Tower often there are connections between different environmentally friendly elements or one element has a multiple function. For example the underfloor air distribution, radiant ceiling and double skin facade work in unison to keep the air in the building fresh and healthy. Nonetheless each one of those elements have their own distinct functions. An example of the latter is the facade shading devices, the fins have built-in solar collection devices which generate electricity used to power the building or is stored in the fuel cells of the building for later use.

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To save on construction costs SOM designed the tower so that all the services are housed inside the core of the building, making it easier to articulate and saving on space, pipe length and cable length. To reduce the amount of structural material needed the architects designed the facade as a perforated surface instead of a solid one, thus allowing some wind through and lower the force exerted onto the facade. This wind is also channeled into the turbines which generate electrical power for the building's needs. The roof deck and its glazed roof was molded to be aerodynamic so to relieve air pressure and be a panoramic skylight for natural daylight to come through readily, creating a pleasant recreational space

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