While other buildings around the world are concerned with being the tallest or the most geometrically interesting, a 397-foot-tall building in China decided to create a sui generis feature to set itself apart from every other building in the world: a 350-foot waterfall.
The 397-foot-tall Liebian Building, located in Guiyang, China, uses four 185-kilowatt pumps to lift water from a four-story underground storage and drainage system up to the waterfall’s crest near the top of the building. The falling water, which is a combination of recycled tap water, rain water, and water from other channels, is collected in a tank at the base of the tower.
See Also: ‘Forest cities’ could help solve China’s air pollution problem
The waterfall is a sight to behold, but it isn’t something residents should get used to seeing every day. In order to run the waterfall for just one hour it costs about $117 in electricity, so it will only be turned on for special occasions in spurts of 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
Guizhou Ludiya Property Management Co. manages the waterfall and hopes it will become a popular tourist attraction in the city’s central business district.
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Jan 14, 2019
AS+GG-designed tower will be the tallest in China
The tower is at the center of the Shimao Longgang Master Plan.
High-rise Construction | Jan 10, 2019
Indoor-outdoor amenities open leasing value at a San Francisco skyscraper
The amenities that set this 605-foot-tall building apart are its 50,000 sf of outdoor and open spaces that include 14 skydecks and large terraces on its 12th and 28th floors.
High-rise Construction | Dec 13, 2018
Record number of 'supertall' towers were completed in 2018
Citic Tower in Beijing and Vincom Landmark 81 in Ho Chi Minh City are among 18 "supertall" skyscrapers completed this year—a record number, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
High-rise Construction | Aug 27, 2018
The world’s tallest buildings with dampers
The CTBUH created the list as part of a recent study.
High-rise Construction | Aug 8, 2018
Bjarke Ingels Group’s new Shenzhen tower includes a folded building envelope
The new skyscraper is the home of Shenzhen Energy Company.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 7, 2018
Even after redevelopment, the iconic 'Chicago Tribune' sign will remain at 435 N. Michigan Ave.
The newspaper and the building's new owners reached a settlement.
Lighting | Aug 1, 2018
Willis Tower upgrades antenna lighting
The new lights will save Willis Tower more than 70% in antenna-lighting energy costs.
High-rise Construction | Jul 10, 2018
SOM-designed 100 Leadenhall Street will be one of the tallest buildings in the U.K.
The tower will rise in the City of London’s eastern cluster.
High-rise Construction | Jun 1, 2018
CTBUH names 2018 Best Tall Building Worldwide, among nine other award winners
Oasia Downtown Hotel named “Best Tall Building Worldwide” for 2018.
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Security and the built environment: Insights from an embassy designer
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), embassy designer Tom Jacobs explores ways that provide the needed protection while keeping intact the representational and inspirational qualities of a design.