![Chengdu Greenland Tower by Smith and Gill](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Chengdu-Greenland-Tower_dezeen_SQ01.jpg)
Construction starts on Smith and Gill's ice-inspired skyscraper for Chengdu
News: construction has started in Chengdu, China, on a 468-metre-high crystalline skyscraper by the architects behind the current and future tallest buildings in the world.
![Chengdu Greenland Tower by Smith and Gill](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Chengdu-Greenland-Tower_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
The Greenland Tower Chengdu was designed by Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill – the former SOM architects responsible for both the Burj Khalifa and the forthcoming Kingdom Tower – and is set to become the tallest building in south-western China.
According to the architects, the faceted-glass form of the office and hotel tower was "inspired by the unique ice mountain topography around Chengdu".
![Chengdu Greenland Tower by Smith and Gill](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Chengdu-Greenland-Tower_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
At night, inset LED lighting will highlight the edges designed to create the impression of a shimmering glacier.
![Chengdu Greenland Tower by Smith and Gill](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Chengdu-Greenland-Tower_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
"Like the mountain ridges reflecting the light of the sky and the valleys reflecting light from the earth, the iconic tower will perform as a light sculpture to diffuse light from 360 degrees, creating a connection between sky and earth," said the studio in a statement.
![Chengdu Greenland Tower by Smith and Gill](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Chengdu-Greenland-Tower_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
Due to complete in 2018, the 100-storey-high skyscraper will surpass the city's current tallest buildings, the Chengdu IFS Towers, by over 200 metres.
![Chengdu Greenland Tower by Smith and Gill](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Chengdu-Greenland-Tower_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
It will be accompanied by two smaller residential towers, standing at 115 and 147 metres, and a six-storey podium housing a shopping centre, conference and exhibition space, and a roof garden.
![Chengdu Greenland Tower by Smith and Gill](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Chengdu-Greenland-Tower_dezeen_1.jpg)
Chinese property developer Greenland is behind the project. The company is also working with Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture on the 636-metre-high Wuhan Greenland Center, which is likely to become China's third-tallest building when it is completed next year.