Zhuhai, China

Kelvin Hu and Aedas used the inspiration of rock formations along the Zhuhai coast for the design of this new 145-metre-high skyscraper located in Zhuhai in China’s Pearl River Delta close to Macau and Hong Kong.

The skyscraper comprises two connected towers and has a cut-out sky garden built in a neighbourhood that is currently changing from an old industrial zone to a more high-tech one.

“Xingge Jinze Building marks a new chapter in the urban renewal of the Xiangzhou North Industrial Zone, a move that deepens the intersections between architecture, community and urbanism,” states Aedas executive director Kelvin Hu.

“It acts as a powerhouse that accelerates nearby urban redevelopment.”

Aedas took local rock formations called “auspicious stones” to design the sculptural highrise, modelling its body after stacked rocks.

The building’s corners, which contain offices, residential spaces, retail serviced apartments and a clubhouse, are rounded to give the 35-storey building a more streamlined silhouette.

The core of the main North Xingge Jinze building is hollowed out to “encourage wind circulation,” Hu said, while a cut-out on one side will hold a sky garden.

By hollowing out the centre of the main building, the facade produces a “dynamic visual experience” when seen from different angles.

“Xingge Jinze Building encapsulates Xiangzhou’s latest regional transformation,” Hu continues.

“It showcases a rejuvenated Zhuhai and will become the city’s new landmark, characterized by innovation and greener emissions.”

The building contains a variety of mixed-use office and residential spaces, while a smaller tower alongside the arched form contains additional office space.

The skyscraper’s core compartment is located in a smaller tower next to the main skyscraper, while elevators to the upper floors can be found in the centre of the skyscraper.

Project: North Xingge Jinze Skycraper
Architects: Aedas
Lead Architect: Kelvin Hu