LAKHTA CENTER ST PETERSBURG: TECHNICAL REVIEW AND SPECIFICATIONS

The Lakhta Center stands as the tallest building in Europe and the northernmost skyscraper in the world. Rising 462 meters (1,516 feet) above the Gulf of Finland in Saint Petersburg, the tower is a marvel of engineering designed to withstand extreme sub-zero temperatures and high wind loads.

This technical review analyzes the Lakhta Centers architectural geometry, record-breaking foundation engineering, and advanced cold-bent façade system.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND GEOMETRY

Originally conceptualized by Tony Kettle at RMJM and further developed by Gorproject, the Lakhta Center features a unique five-sided floor plan. As the tower rises, the floor plates rotate 0.82 degrees per floor, resulting in a total twist of 90 degrees from base to spire.

This twisting geometry is not merely aesthetic; it is a critical aerodynamic strategy. The spiraling form effectively confuses wind currents, preventing the formation of organized vortices that could cause significant lateral oscillation (vortex shedding). The form creates a "flame" silhouette, paying homage to the logo of Gazprom, the anchor tenant.

FOUNDATION AND GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

Constructing a supertall skyscraper on the soft, swampy soil of the Neva Delta required an unprecedented geotechnical solution. The tower sits on a box-shaped foundation supported by 264 bored piles, which reach depths of up to 82 meters (269 feet) to anchor into the harder Vendian clay layers.

The construction of the bottom slab set a Guinness World Record in 2015. It involved a continuous concrete pour of 19,624 cubic meters over 49 hours. This continuous pour was essential to create a monolithic base without cold joints, ensuring the uniform distribution of the towers 670,000-tonne weight and preventing differential settlement.

STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS

The structural core is a reinforced concrete tube that provides the primary vertical support and houses the elevators and mechanical shafts. This core is connected to 15 composite perimeter columns via outrigger trusses located at five mechanical levels.

These outriggers transfer lateral loads from the core to the perimeter columns, increasing the buildings effective width and resistance to overturning moments. The top of the tower features a 118-meter steel spire, which was assembled in segments using cranes at extreme heights, as helicopters were deemed too risky due to the strong Baltic winds.

FACADE AND COLD-BENT GLASS

The Lakhta Center possesses the largest volume of cold-bent glass in the world, covering an area of approximately 72,500 square meters. The complex twisting geometry required a façade system that could adapt to the curvature without the prohibitive cost of hot-bending each panel.

Engineers utilized a cold-bending technique where flat glass panes are mechanically forced into a curved shape during installation within the frame. This creates a smooth, continuous surface that reflects the changing colors of the sky and water. The façade is a double-skin system, providing a thermal buffer zone that is crucial for energy efficiency in Saint Petersburgs harsh winters.

SUSTAINABILITY (LEED PLATINUM)

The Lakhta Center is one of the most sustainable skyscrapers globally, achieving LEED Platinum certification. The building employs an intelligent ice-formation control system for the spire and façade, heating the glass only when specific humidity and temperature conditions are met to prevent dangerous ice fall.

Additional features include a pneumatic waste collection system and the use of excess heat from mechanical equipment to warm the internal spaces, significantly reducing the energy demand for heating.

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

Official Name: Lakhta Center
Location: Lakhtinsky Avenue, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Architect: RMJM (Concept), Gorproject (Executive)
Structural Engineer: Gorproject
Completion Year: 2019
Architectural Height: 462 meters (1,516 feet)
Floor Count: 87
Foundation Pour: 19,624 cubic meters (World Record at time of execution)
Façade Type: Cold-bent double-skin curtain wall
LEED Certification: Platinum

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the Lakhta Center the tallest building in Russia?
Yes, at 462 meters, it is the tallest building in both Russia and Europe, surpassing the Federation Tower in Moscow and The Shard in London.

Why is the building twisted?
The 90-degree twist is primarily an aerodynamic feature designed to reduce wind loads by disrupting vortex shedding. It also maximizes views of the Gulf of Finland for occupants.

What is the record regarding the concrete foundation?
In 2015, the project set a Guinness World Record for the largest continuous concrete pour (19,624 cubic meters), which was necessary to create a seamless, crack-free foundation slab.

Can you visit the top?
Yes, the building features a public observation deck on the 83rd to 86th floors, offering 360-degree views of Saint Petersburg and the Baltic Sea.