Lakhta Center


The Lakhta Center is an 87-story skyscraper built in the northwestern neighborhood of Lakhta in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Standing tall, it is the tallest building in Europe, the tallest building in Russia, and the fourteenth-tallest building in the world. It is also the second-tallest structure in Russia and Europe, behind the Ostankino Tower in Moscow, in addition to being the second-tallest twisted building and the northernmost skyscraper in the world.
Construction of Lakhta Center started on 30 October 2012, with the building topping out on 29 January 2018. It surpassed Vostok Tower of the Federation Towers in Moscow as the tallest building in Russia and Europe on 5 October 2017. The center is designed for large-scale mixed-use development, consisting of public facilities and offices. First designed by RMJM, the project was then continued by GORPROJECT based on the RMJM Concept under the main contractor, Rönesans Holding. Lakhta Center is intended to become the new headquarters of Russian energy company Gazprom.
On December 24, 2018, Lakhta Center was certified according to the criteria of ecological efficiency at LEED Platinum, making it one of the five most eco-friendly skyscrapers in the world. The concrete pouring of the bottom slab of Lakhta Center's foundation on March 1, 2015 was registered by Guinness World Records as the largest continuous concrete pour; 19,624 cubic meters of concrete were used during 49 hours, which is approximately 3,000 cubic meters more than in the previous record registered at Wilshire Grand Tower. The record has since been surpassed. The tower's curtain wall is also the world's largest cold-bent facade by area.
The opening date of the complex will be determined after the completion of finishing and landscaping. The improvement of the embankments is planned to be completed at the end of 2020.

History

Planning

As the historical center of St. Petersburg has been a World Heritage Site since 1990, The World Heritage Committee opposed the construction of the 400-metre tower of Okhta Center as it would affect the cityscape of historic Saint Petersburg. In December 2006 UNESCO World Heritage Centre Director Francesco Bandarin reminded Russia about its obligations to preserve it and expressed concern over the project. In 2007, the World Monuments Fund placed the historic skyline of St. Petersburg on its 2008 Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites due to the potential construction of the building, and in 2009 reported that the tower "would damage the image of Russia." During the 36th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO held in Saint Petersburg in 2012 it was stated that a large area of Saint-Petersburg falls within preservation and buffer zones provided for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. That is why it is good for the city that the Okhta Center, which had been planned by Gazprom in front of Smolny Cathedral was moved to Lakhta.
The project being moved to Lakhta did not stop the discussions. On 11 April 2012, ex-governor of St. Petersburg and now Federation Council chairwoman Valentina Matvienko said to journalists that the "Lakhta center could become a new symbol of the city and attract the businessmen from all over the world to St. Petersburg."
On 26 January 2012, it became known that Gazprom was planning to build a new harbor for yachts near Lakhta Center and Krestovsky Island. A new company for managing these sea assets was to be created. It was announced that a new metro station was to be constructed near Lakhta Center on 16 March 2012. This metro station's building was included in the City development plan of Leningrad in 1980 but only with the construction of the Lakhta Center did it again enter the agenda. The plan of the metro station's construction was to be finalized by the end of 2012.
The permit for construction of the first stage of Lakhta Center, which included the skyscraper and stylobate, was obtained on 17 August.
On 31 August 2012, a public hearing on the topic of the layout and surveying of the site of the Lakhta Center was held in the administration of the Primorsky district of Saint Petersburg. Objects planned for placing in the area of construction, scheme of communications and transportation infrastructure were presented to the public.

Construction

Approximately 3,000 people will be employed in the construction, mostly from professions relating to design and construction. After completion, a few thousand workers of different occupations were expected to be employed in the complex.
Geodesic, ecologic and soil investigations and design documentation for the project were prepared by GORPROJECT, NIIOSP, Petrochim-technologiya LLC and Trest GRII JSC. In planning and executing works at the underground cycle, piling and producing construction materials such companies as Arabtec, Bauer Group, Geostroy CJSC, Inforsproekt CJSC and Renaissance Construction take part. Verification calculations, working documentation development, optimisation of processes and technical supervision are performed by Arup Group Limited, Samsung C&T and Lend Lease Project Management & Construction. Project management is being done by AECOM. is key contractor for the interior design of public spaces. German company Josef Gartner is in charge for the glazing of the skyscraper. Glazed facades of Entrance Arch as well as parts of Multi-functional building are done by Waagner-Biro.
Zero cycle works started on 30 October 2012. They consist of pit excavation, installation of the disk system, piling under the tower, multifunctional building and stylobate and construction of the foundation itself.
The main potential general contractor for the construction of Lakhta Center, Turkish Renaissance Construction company, was selected on 22 April 2014. On 22 May 2014 the contract for the construction of the foundation of one of the buildings in Lakhta Center was finally signed.

Construction Schedule

Multi-functional building

The Multi-functional building is a structure consisting of two buildings, North and South, which are united by a common foundation, stylobate and roof. The building resembles a boomerang. It has a variable number of storeys with a height difference from 7 to 17 floors, with the peak height being a little more than 80 meters. The building is approximately 300 meters long. The end facades are in a negative angle due to the removal of the console on 25 m. Facades are made from glass, with a total area of more than 60 thousand m².
Constructive scheme of the building - frame. More than 24 thousand tons of metal structures were used for the construction of this facility.
The main load-bearing elements are 4 reinforced concrete cores which perceive horizontal and vertical loadings, transferring them to the base executed in the form of the plate grillage leaning against piles. Between the Southern and Northern buildings of the MFZ along the entire height of the atrium, with a roof of translucent polymer membranes ETFE. In the space of the atrium, transitional bridges are spanned, which serve as observation points. Atrium is a pedestrian area from which you can get to any of the objects of the building.
The MFZ contains a planetarium, which has a holding capacity of 140 people. A very accurate projection of the starry sky is formed by a star machine. Larger objects, artificial aircraft, visual effects and much more are created by a projection system with a resolution of 8K at the meridian, which uses 10 Sony GTZ280 laser projectors. Five projectors illuminate the lower tier of the dome, four the top, and one forms an image at the zenith. Thus, a total resolution of 48,483,533 pixels is achieved. The side of the globe-shaped star hall juts out from the wall, and has been decorated with triangular stainless steel sheets, which have been polished to a shine.

Complex of buildings and structures

Next to the already commissioned Lakhta Center, construction continues. In addition to the existing entities of the complex, another is being constructed. According to official documents, it is called the "Complex of buildings and structures", or simply KZS.
The complex of buildings and structures is a single structure consisting of two buildings connected by a courtyard. The authors of the project suggest that it will not only strengthen the office function of the Lakhta Center, but also complete the formation of the architectural ensemble, balancing the skyscraper horizontally. Completion is planned for spring 2021. The KZS increases Lakhta Center's total area from 400 000 m² to 570 000 m².

Design

Facilities

Lakhta Center will contain offices, a co-working center, a sports center, a children's science center, and a conference center. The project includes 1,500 square meters of indoor exhibition space. Part of the open area will be used to demonstrate art, installations and sculptures. There will be a free public observation deck at the top of the skyscraper at a height of 357 meters.

Features

While designing Lakhta Center several "green" and energy-saving technologies were implemented, resulting in it being awarded a LEED Platinum certificate:
All in all, while constructing Lakhta Center approximately 100 innovations are to be used. It increases the indexes of energy saving by 40% compared to the buildings where standard technologies are in use.
In experts' opinion, period of recoupment of using green and energy-saving technologies in Lakhta Center may be at about 20 years though Lakhta Center's Projection department's specialists think that this figure is a bit overestimated.

Transportation development

Lakhta Center's construction raises a problem in terms of transportation development because of the expected growth in traffic flow in the region. Two traffic circles are to be built near Lakhta Center. These will become part of the М32А highway in the future.
A light rail service from Finland Railway Station and a new tram line from Primorskaya underground station will be built to serve Lakhta Center. Plans are ongoing to build a new underground station with the working title of "Lakhta". Bicycle lanes near Lakhta Center with 90 parking places for bicycles are also planned.

Reception

During his visit to Russia in 2011 the Chairman of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Professor Sang-Dae Kim was treated to a presentation of Lakhta Center. Professor Kim commented on the "modern shape" of the proposed Lakhta Center, which according to him had "nothing in common with ordinary boxes". He also stated that something new ought to be created, which can be shown to new generations in 200–300 years as for them what is created nowadays will be the same historically as the architecture of the 18-19th centuries for us today. Mr. Kim also noticed that the project reminds him of the oriental concept Yin Yang: on one hand, the historic part of the city with horizontal buildings and water, and on the other hand a vertical which will add additional charm to the city. Lakhta Center combines an interesting form and modern technologies, so according to Mr. Kim, with the lapse of time the center can become a new symbol of Saint Petersburg.
In 2019 the Lakhta center complex became the leader in the number of nominations for the Award of Excellence and Urban Habitat. It was a finalist in five categories: Best high-rise building of 400 meters and higher; Construction award; Award in the field of construction engineering; award in the field of geotechnical engineering; award for facade engineering.
In 2020, the Lakhta center reached the final of the most prestigious competition among high-rise buildings CTBUH Award of Excellence. One of the nominations is a unique illumination of the complex.