Core Points - The Lakhta Center is the tallest building in Europe, with a height of 462 meters including the spire, surpassing the previous record held by the Federation Tower in Moscow at 370 meters [2] - The building has won multiple prestigious architectural awards, including the Emporis Skyscraper Award and the Best Tall Building Award from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat [2] - The design and construction of the Lakhta Center faced significant challenges due to extreme temperature fluctuations and strong winds in St. Petersburg, necessitating innovative engineering solutions [3] Group 1: Architectural Significance - The Lakhta Center features a unique twisting design, with each floor rotated at a certain angle relative to the one below, creating a "smooth twisting shape" [2] - The building's entrance arch has an impressive column-free span of 88 meters, utilizing glass as a load-bearing component, a first in architectural history [2] - The building's silhouette resembles a torch, symbolizing the Gazprom company, and its façade consists of over 16,000 "cold-bent glass units" [3] Group 2: Functional Aspects - Although primarily an office building, the Lakhta Center includes multifunctional halls, a 7,000 square meter educational center, and a spherical planetarium that can accommodate up to 140 people [4] - It features a panoramic restaurant at 320 meters, the highest dining venue in Europe, and an observation deck at 360 meters equipped with interactive telescopes for visitors [4] - The Lakhta Center has become a modern symbol of St. Petersburg, enhancing the city's tourism potential and urban environment quality [4]

Core Viewpoint - The newly published book "100 Stories Behind Buildings" by Dr. Fu Guohua and his son Fu Jiawen aims to highlight the narratives and design philosophies behind various architectural projects, encouraging a deeper appreciation for architecture and its impact on urban life [1][4]. Group 1: Author Background - Dr. Fu Guohua is a professor at McGill University and the founder of KFS Architects in Canada, with educational credentials from Tongji University and McGill University in urban planning and architecture [3]. - He has over 25 years of experience in architectural design, which is reflected in the projects discussed in the book [4]. Group 2: Book Content - The book features nearly 50 projects located in Shanghai, which is described as the author's hometown, showcasing his pride in the buildings he has designed [5]. - It also includes around 20 projects in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with a focus on the recently completed Hengqin Tianmu Qintai, a project that took 15 years to design [5]. - The architectural concept of Tianmu Qintai is described as a unique creation that integrates with its environment, emphasizing its distinctiveness to Hengqin [5][7]. Group 3: Architectural Philosophy - The book encapsulates the design concepts of 100 buildings, all personally conceived by Dr. Fu Guohua, representing his career achievements [7]. - The author expresses a desire for cities to have warmth and stories, indicating a philosophy that values the emotional and cultural significance of architecture [4].