OPEN Architecture’s Sun Tower is a giant sundial

Sun Tower by OPEN Architecture – Photo by Iwan Baan.

Architecture. Rising boldly along the Yellow Sea coastline in Yantai’s Yeda Development Zone, China, Sun Tower by Beijing-based studio OPEN Architecture is not just a building—it’s a sculptural tribute to the rhythms of the natural world. At 50 metres tall, this cone-like structure is part cultural destination, part sundial, and entirely poetic in its architectural intent.

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Photo by Jonathan Leijonhufvud.

The tower houses an eclectic mix of spaces: an outdoor theatre carved into its base, layered exhibition areas, a library, a café, a bar, and a serene observation deck topped with a reflecting pool. All are carefully choreographed to offer not just functions, but experiences that connect visitors with light, sound, and sky.

Photo by Iwan Baan.

Inspired by the region’s rich history—where ancient Chinese sun worship once flourished and Ming-era watchtowers once stood—OPEN’s design is a contemporary reimagining of the lighthouse typology. But instead of warning sailors, this lighthouse beckons people to reconnect with nature and time.

Photo by Iwan Baan.

Structurally, the tower is formed by two tilted concrete shells, which wrap around each other like an embrace. These are reinforced with horizontal slabs and a winding network of ramps, engineered in collaboration with Arup. The result is a robust yet lyrical structure that opens dramatically on the side facing the sea, with open-air viewing decks and a sunlit amphitheatre at ground level.

Photo by Iwan Baan.

Every angle of the building has been carefully studied in relation to the sun. The northern edge runs parallel to the sun’s path at the equinoxes. The entry tunnel points precisely to the sunset of the Winter Solstice. And the semi-outdoor theatre? It’s aligned with the sunrise over nearby Zhifu Island on the Summer Solstice—embedding cosmic timekeeping into the very layout of the space.

Photo by Jonathan Leijonhufvud.

Around the tower, concentric stone rings radiate like planetary orbits. A water channel snakes through the plaza, and at key intersections, the sun’s shadow marks specific hours during the equinoxes. One ring even features a playful array of fountains representing the 24 solar terms of the traditional Chinese calendar.

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Inside, exhibition spaces spiral upward along pedestrian ramps, enhanced with screens, projections, and subtly integrated hanging systems for displaying art. At the tower’s summit, the library and an open-air ‘Phenomena Space’ offer stunning views. Here, a circular oculus allows rainwater to cascade into a tranquil pool, blending architecture with the natural elements.

Photo by Jonathan Leijonhufvud.

With passive cooling strategies and thermal mass design, Sun Tower minimises energy use while maximising sensory experience. As OPEN explains, it’s about turning invisible natural forces—light, air, sound—into tangible form. And perhaps more importantly, about reconnecting us with a deeper respect for the planet and its rhythms.