Zhuhai Hengqin Headquarters Complex | Zhuhai, China | 2021

Architects: Aedas
Lead Architects: Keith Griffiths and Yi Jun Qian
Associate Architects: GuangDong Architectural Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Lead Architect: Sili Liu
Client: Zhuhai Hengqin Headquarters Building Development Co., Ltd.
Photographs: Courtesy of the Architects

Aedas-design Zhuhai Hengqin Headquarters Development Project sits in a prime area on the Hengqin Island in Zhuhai, in close proximity to the Lotus Bridge that links to Cotai, Macau. Overlooking some of the largest casino resorts across the river, the development is set to be an integrated cultural tourism-oriented complex with two high-rise Grade-A office towers and a series of retail, banquet, entertainment, and leisure venues. The project's gross area is 495,031 square meters, including 68386.7 square meters of mall and shopping street, 263565.3 square meters of office, and 144155.8 square meters of underground retail and parking.

In ancient Chinese myths, the totem of two dragons chasing for a pearl symbolizes good fortune and happiness. The design of the two towers and the small banquet building in between took reference from this totem. The towers portray a sense of strength and power with a façade that shimmers under the sun; while the banquet building looks like an exquisite pearl. The podium design, on the other hand, echoes the nearby Lotus Bridge. It resembles a blooming lotus flower with “lotus leaves” wrapping around the shopping center and lining up the retail streets. The master plan is laid out to drive traffic from various retail, leisure, and green nodes to the central sunken plaza.

The project is a dynamic complex. It incorporates multiple functions such as a luxury sky villa hotel, Grade-A twin tower office, Cultural-themed shopping street, Mall, and luxury apartments. The twin tower “dragon heads” are a real challenge to structural engineers. 300 meters above the ground level, two tower heads are cantilevered 10 and 15 meters out respectively. A six-level-height sky lobby is located at the main tower top and serves as an observation deck for visitors.

In order to ensure the supreme quality of view, Aedas works closely with the engineers to achieve a column-less yet transparent “dragon head”. The team came up with a ‘hanging’ system that has a top structural floor from which all slabs and associated façade cables are hung. On the other hand, the shorter tower's structural floor is located right below its “head” due to its lower cantilever distance. The tower façade is designed with “skin” with layers of “dragon scales”. Façade units are rationalized into a total of five different modules in order to form a gentle transition from ‘zig-zag’ to smoothness. Each “scale” is fabricated as a singular curtain wall unit and with one direction of gold color aluminum panel and the other side Low-E triple layered glass.

As a new landmark of Hengqin, the project is not only an amazing attraction for the citizens, but also serves as an urban catalyst to the local economy. This project will certainly be a boost to ZhuHai cultural, entertainment and environmental industry.