Construction begins on Smith and Gill’s crystalline skyscraper in Chengdu, China

Construction has commenced on a 468-metre, ice-inspired tower designed by architectural firm Smith and Gill for Chengdu, China.

Due to complete in 2018, the Greenland Tower Chengdu is set to become the tallest building in south-western China, surpassing the city's current tallest buildings, the Chengdu IFS Towers, by over 200 metres.

The mixed-use skyscraper features a faceted-glass façade inspired by the icy mountains that surround the Chinese city.

At night, inset LEDs will turn the skyscraper into a light sculpture, illuminating its glass surfaces like a glimmering glacier.

Two smaller residential towers and a six-storey podium housing a shopping centre, conference rooms, an exhibition space and a roof garden, will stand alongside the skyscraper.

The Greenland Tower Chengdu was designed by Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill - the architects behind the current and future tallest buildings in the world.

Courtesy Construction Global