Unusual 'Lucky Coin' Building Soon To Dot China's Skyline

Guangzhou, the capital and largest city of China's Guandong Province is known for its amazing skyscrapers including, the country's tallest tower. If all goes according to plan, by the end of the year, it will also be known for the country's and possibly the world's most unusual structure - a cylindrical coin-shaped building that is currently being constructed on the banks of the Pearl River.

Commissioned by the Guangdong Plastics Exchange, the 453 foot tall building that sports a 154-foot donut hole, is designed to resemble an old Chinese jade, water wheel or gold coin - All believed to bring good Feng Shui - or good luck and fortune. In addition to the shape, the location of the building, right next to the water (Shui), is also considered to be extremely fortuitous in the Chinese culture.

The brainchild of Italian architect Joseph di Pasquale, the unusual building that artfully blends in the ancient beliefs of the local people with the amenities found in a modern western building, is expected to cost one billion Yuan ($159 mm USD). When completed, it will be used as a warehouse, public information space and research center.

The Chinese people are big believers in Feng Shui - An ancient form of art and science that allegedly brings good luck to practitioners. While applying it to perfection involves some complicated rules, given that the term means wind (Feng) and water (Shui), anything related to the two is bound to bring good fortune. We sure hope it brings a lot of luck to all the people who work inside and to the thousands that are bound to come to view this rather unusual structure.

Resources: worldarchitecturenews.com, gizmag.com