international architectural firm Aedas has revealed plans for a dragon-inspired development in china’s southern guangdong province. located in zhuhai — a city known for its golf resorts, theme parks, and coastal islands — phase two of the ‘zhuhai hengqin headquarters complex’ is sited in close proximity to a bridge that connects mainland china to macau. overlooking some of the largest casino resorts across the river, the vast scheme comprises two high-rise office towers, as well as a series of retail, banquet, entertainment and leisure venues.

Aedas' dragon-themed cultural-tourism complex draws from ancient chinese mythology
all images courtesy of Aedas

 

 

Aedas’ design for the two towers, and the small banquet building in between, references the motif of two dragons chasing a pearl — an image that symbolizes good fortune and happiness in ancient chinese mythology. ‘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,’ explain the architects.

Aedas' dragon-themed cultural-tourism complex draws from ancient chinese mythology
the dragon-inspired development is located in china’s southern guangdong province

 

 

meanwhile, echoing the form of the nearby bridge, the podium resembles a blooming lotus flower with ‘leaves’ that encompass the shopping center. the masterplan is laid out to drive traffic from various retail, leisure and green nodes towards a central sunken plaza. the design also responds to zhuhai’s high annual rainfall, with the scheme’s upper levels providing shelter for people below.

Aedas' dragon-themed cultural-tourism complex draws from ancient chinese mythology
the towers’ form recalls an image that symbolizes good fortune in ancient chinese mythology

Aedas' dragon-themed cultural-tourism complex draws from ancient chinese mythology
the podium resembles a lotus flower with ‘leaves’ that encompass the shopping center

Aedas' dragon-themed cultural-tourism complex draws from ancient chinese mythology
the masterplan drives traffic from retail, leisure and green nodes towards a central sunken plaza

Aedas' dragon-themed cultural-tourism complex draws from ancient chinese mythology
a small banquet building is positioned between the two high-rise structures

Aedas' dragon-themed cultural-tourism complex draws from ancient chinese mythology
the development overlooks some of macau’s largest casino resorts

 

 

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aedas zhuhai hengqin headquarters complex dragon towers china designboom
 
aedas zhuhai hengqin headquarters complex dragon towers china designboom
 
aedas zhuhai hengqin headquarters complex dragon towers china designboom
 
aedas zhuhai hengqin headquarters complex dragon towers china designboom
 

 

project info:

 

name: zhuhai hengqin headquarters complex (phase II)
location: zhuhai, china
design and project architect: Aedas
client: MCC international investment development co., ltd.
gross floor area: 486,257 sqm
completion year: 2019
directors: andy wen and keith griffiths

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