Star River Headquarter by Skidmore, Owings & Merill
On the tiny island of Pazhou Island, Guangzhou is the host to the new Star River Headquarters. A sculptural addition to the business district, the Star River Headquarters is a centrepiece of the conceptualised city block, which combines green space with covered walkways and multiple levels of retail and commerce. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, this giant in the sky is a build that moulds shape and form to stand out above the rest.
Reimagining the skyline
The island of Pazhou emerged as a distinguished modern centre of commerce and trade following its history of trade along the Pearl River. The new headquarters are an emblem of this transformation. From afar, the tower’s pleated façades ascend in a curved taper, casting light and shadow in a unique pattern. The building is located near two other builds designed by SOM – the Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce and SANY Irootech Pazhou – Star River Headquarters is an innovation in a new type of commercial building, reimagining the skyline and landscape of urban China.
Public plaza & lush landscape
Located on a public plaza, Star River HQ is not only a highlight of the skyline but also a contemporary contribution to the lush landscape that surrounds it. A canopy wraps around the base of the building and extends above it, while mechanical spaces are hidden to make way for the covered pedestrian arcade at the end of the street. Visitors are welcomed by a stair-lined entrance, where they can access retail stores and the subway below the building – a considered addition to the design.
Engineering efficiency
The tower, with its tapering profile that reduces wind impact, is designed and engineered to make it seamlessly efficient. To offer clear views of the Pearl River, the rounded ‘corners’ don’t use columns and as such maximise lease spans to highlight the bright floors. The façade also plays its part in the seamless efficiency of the design; individual bays are created by the pleats in the facade, which are suited to both the closed and open offices in the building. To top it off, a latticed structure at the crown of the building is home to a greenhouse. Here you’ll find an array of heritage specimen plants, with an inviting pool for the public reflected in the traditional pavilion.
A positive workspace
The goal for the building is threefold: minimise embodied carbon, reduce energy consumption, and create an enjoyable, healthy workspace. This is achieved by the pleated façade, which shades the exterior wall to reduce direct solar radiation while diffusing daylight to reach deep into the interior spaces. Together with high-performance curtainwall systems and thermal insulation, the outer envelope reduces typical cooling loads and improves indoor comfort all year long. Mullions, found along the entire height of the building, provide user-operable panels for natural ventilation, acting as a source of fresh air.
SOM’s work on the Star River HQ incorporates a comprehensive, integrated building management system that combines environmental control standards, plant monitoring, and a user interface to allow for efficient operations. With both the environment and its people at the forefront of their priorities, both the company and the designers have created a space that brings joy and comfort to promote well-being – a goal that every commercial build should have.
This article is an extract from our May Issue. Read the full issue here.
