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Located at the southernmost tip of mainland China and being surrounded by sea, Zhanjiang is known for its unique harbour culture. In response to its growing attraction as a tourist destination, Zhanjiang Yunhai No. 1 is designed as an all-weather tourism and leisure resort, whose 266 meters tower will become the tallest building in the area.
The project is perched in the intersection of the three major urban areas, and closely connected to the city centre via the Zhanjiang Bay Bridge across the waterways. Overlooking the sea promenade of Jinsha Bay and the urban park nearby, it is an important city portal.
“The design draws inspiration from the motion of a koi fish leaping through a dragon gate, allegorising it to the pioneering spirit and upward development of the area,” explained Aedas Global Design Principal Dr. Andy Wen. Through volume shifting, the podium is designed in a streamlined wave shape, to mirror the temperament of the coastal city.
The project integrates its five-star hotels, apartments, retail streets, and vibrant leisure squares by linking a series of key nodes with extensive public space. The design is informed by Zhanjiang’s southeast monsoon climate and the daylight conditions to arrive at a parallel layout. The high-rise hotel and serviced apartments stand in the southwest of the rectangular site while three residential towers and one serviced apartment are situated in the north, where they face a peerless sea view.
A stepped landscape lawn is set on the east end, serving as a respite for visitors to rest amidst the greenery. From there, it advances toward the sunken plaza and segues into the indoor commercial space. Between the building and the lawn is a market space, which is reserved as a hub for art and cultural activities.
Approaching the commercial podium at the heart of the development, a modern digital art installation is inlaid along its east facade, protruding majestically to encourage interaction between people and architecture. In the event of a festival, it can be transformed into a lighting stage with a LED screen on the tower, bringing about an immersive, celebratory experience.
The vivacious retail space in the podium, open-air retail street, and outdoor infinity pool, offer a full range of leisure and relaxation experience, while the sky restaurant and hotel functions at the crown of the tower are designed exclusively for banquets and business meetings.
"We wish to obscure boundaries in the project, where the distinction between indoor and outdoor, business and art, are blurred. The vision is to create a space where all these elements could coexist to generate interesting experiences." — Yi Jun Qian, Aedas Executive Director.
Status: Under Construction
Location: Zhanjiang, CN
Firm Role: Design & Project Architect
Additional Credits: Dr. Andy Wen, Global Design Principal; Yi Jun Qian, Executive Director
