Archinect - News 2024-12-11T16:22:44-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150421031/som-s-tapering-star-river-headquarters-project-completes-in-guangzhou SOM's tapering Star River Headquarters project completes in Guangzhou Josh Niland 2024-03-20T17:49:00-04:00 >2024-03-21T13:53:16-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/11/1106f6b5fdc89052831924efa08e202a.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p><a href="https://archinect.com/skidmoreowingsmerrill" target="_blank">SOM</a> has unveiled the newly completed Star River Headquarters project in Guangzhou, China, which it says is emblematic of the city&rsquo;s late transformation into a national destination for trade and cultural tourism.&nbsp;</p> <p>The 918-foot-tall office tower was realized at Pazhou Island and anchors a new block-size development that is helping to revitalize the city&rsquo;s traditional hub for commerce and financial services.&nbsp;</p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/fc/fc4144879d0657bd304ecf6413983b1f.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/fc/fc4144879d0657bd304ecf6413983b1f.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Image: &copy; Seth Powers/SOM</figcaption></figure><p>SOM says its design "represents a new class of office buildings" that are currently reshaping Guangzhou, joining the new Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce and <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150359197/som-s-two-tower-office-complex-in-guangzhou-has-topped-out" target="_blank">Sany IROOTECH Headquarters</a> from 2020 and 2025, respectively.&nbsp;<br></p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/84/84254a93920e9205bdc4c5966d6f11fa.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/84/84254a93920e9205bdc4c5966d6f11fa.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Image: &copy; Seth Powers/SOM</figcaption></figure><p>From a distance, the tower's tapered parabolic silhouette stands prominently above a landscaped public plaza area and retail establishments below, utilizing a pleated effect that enables unique possibilities for the interplay of light and shadow on its facade.&nbsp;<br></p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/0e/0e461550294cd0b156b08883b7bbc8cf.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/0e/0e461550294cd0b156b08883b7bbc8cf.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Image: &copy; Seth Powers/SOM</figcaption></figure><p>Vertical mullions running the length...</p>