This project is located at Dongfeng Road, Guangzhou — the historic centre of economics and politics. It is only 1km from the central north–south axis of the city (Yuexiu Park — Sun Yat-sen — Memorial Hall — Guangzhou Municipal Government — People’s Park), which remains the most important area that bears the city image and historical context of Guangzhou.

In order to optimise the image of the Times Property Centre building, the team’s ambition was to intergrate the site space into the old city, build upon the urban context, and provide a positive public space for the densely and crowded location. In response to these different goals, we adopted the following strategies:

1. Less is More: simplify and give the site a contemporary urban aesthetic;
2. Blurring the boundary: open the boundary and give the front field space a public use;
3. Context Development: Use traditional building design techniques to continue the context of the city.

▼contrast before and after renovation

▼strategies

The Times Property Centre was completed in 1999, decorated with typical 1990s style. Prior to the renovation, the state of the site was disorganised and outdated. Based on the separation of pedestrian and vehicle, the design team aimed to make the aesthetic align with the function. The strategy was to simplify the landscape of the site, as follows:

1.Replace the original central planter with water feature, which is consist of a minimalistic fountain and a egg-shaped modern sculpture created by ethnic Chinese artist Lindy Lee. The sculpture, named THE EGG GIVES BIRTH TO AN EPOCH, suggests that even with a small thing like an egg; something superb, momentous and far-reaching can grow. The egg also symbolises the cyclical nature of time, birth and new life.

2.Integrate eight individual small tree planters into one, in order to reconstruct and extend the original fragmented space. As the top elevation of the underground garage was higher than the sidewalk, the tree planter was also used to even out the elevations, while separating the plaza from the sidewalk.

3.Replace the original decorative pavement patterns with only two colours to clearly divide the pedestrian, vehicle and the plaza spaces. The tone of the architecture, interior and exterior spaces are highly unified. The aesthetics is simple yet powerful.

▼renovation diagram 

Blurring the boundary

The historical city is densely covered by narrow streets and alleys, public space is undoubtedly an important medium of diverse activities; however, the demand for public space and shortage available to the public seems to be irreconcilable. Therefore, through this project, the design team aimed to find a solution, which not only made the Times Property Centre plaza a landmark in the area, but also gives the space a meaningful purpose for the public.

▼a view from the sidewalk 

▼the plaza and the tree planters

▼fluid space formed by the tree planters and the water features

▼Times China compass embedded in the pavement

Blurring the boundary: Through using two semi-enclosed tree planters, which clearly defines the sidewalk and plaza, it allows citizens to walk or stop freely within. The enclosed space provides a sense of security. The seats, which are set up facing the art sculpture, become the most frequently used space of ​​the plaza. People are encouraged to find their own use of the space. Citizens will purposefully walk into the plaza: to take pictures, interact with the fountain, wait for friends under the awning, or have a conversation. It is the same place, revigorated with a new experience, which makes Times Property Centre also become a landmark in itself.

▼the fluid space formed by the tree planters and the water features

▼the water feature and the sculpture nameplate, people are naturally drawn to the site

▼children play around the tree planters and water features

▼the sculpture texture

▼the sculpture with 2700K built-in lighting

Context development

The project lies adjacent to the Lingnan historic district (including Haoxian Road and Yuehua Road). The architectural design team incorporated the local history into the concept for the main entrance, also providing a roof top and shading for people. In the renovation of the building’s facade, the design team removed the slabs from the first to fifth floor, which were replaced with large frameless floor-to-ceiling glass panels. The activities within become a scenery of the city. The design is aligned with the modern minimalistic office aesthetic.

▼the Lingnan-arcade-style renovation of pillars

▼a view from the 2nd floor of Times Property Centre

▼Times Property Centre and the urban surrounding

▼night view

▼landscape plan

▼the structure of the water feature

▼the structure of the tree planter