Urban park

Mixed-use sector

Parc Central
Guangzhou, China
Urban Park
Mixed use Sector
• PARK, OFFICE BUILDINGS,
SHOPPING CENTERS
GUANGZHOU, CHINA
• Architects: Benoy
• Area: 110000 m²
(approx. 27 acres)
• Year: 2016
• Challenge
Benoy was tasked with the large-scale project of developing a unique
destination where business and community come together. Parc Central
had to be distinct to Guangzhou, contributing to the city’s wider vision
of being recognized as a world-leading destination and host for
international events.
• Solution
Curving around an array of green spaces and set amongst the urban
backdrop, the 110,000 m² mixed-use development comprises shopping,
entertainment and dining facilities with sustainability at its core. To
enable wide-spread access, Benoy introduced a public
transport interchange.
• Result
With its impressive atrium and bold design, Parc Central is a truly
unique lifestyle destination. A blend of indoor and outdoor spaces
complement the contemporary setting, providing local and international
business professionals and the whole community with more points of
discovery, all in the heart of Guangzhou’s new CBD.
PROXIMITY AND MOVEMENT CORRIDOR
CIVIC DESIGN

Developed on the site of a former square, the vision for Parc

Central was to contribute socially and spatially to the city, as
well as economically. Located along the city’s ‘Green Axis’, the
vision for Parc Central was to form the focal point of this
initiative and create a new ‘Central Park’ along the major
Tianhe Road thoroughfare which dissects the city.

The result is a distinctive 110,000m2 retail development which

is designed around an open parkland environment. Forming
the heart of the development, the landscape, with its varying
levels and forms of greenery, has created a place to socialize,
rest and relax; a ‘Place to breathe’ within the city center.
Much of the development has been placed underground to
achieve this and preserve the ground level environment.

The gardens, planted walkways and living walls create an

undulating green space which integrates not only with the
development itself but the surrounding streetscape.
Ultimately, the design offers a soothing and re-balanced
environment to the Tianhe district.
SYMBOLIC ARCITECTURE

Parc Central is a low-rise building,

standing 24m in height with two
levels above ground and three
levels underground. Being lower
than the surrounding buildings, the
design called for an eye-catching
and powerful visual statement; one
which would add to the rhythm of
the city’s central axis.
DESIGN CONCEPT
Drawing on the symbol for peace, harmony and fortune in the Chinese culture, the architecture references the ‘Double fish’ in the
form of a steel monocoque roof structure. The two buildings curve around the central gardens and are joined by a pedestrian bridge
at one end. The monocoque roof canopies are supported by tree-like columns beneath which sit a series of gardens which extend
the landscape element up the building.
Sustainably designed, Parc Central’s environmental performance is also enhanced through the addition of a rainwater collection
system and low-E glass façades and an EFTE roof
DESIGN AND IT’S EVOLUTION

Early concepts experimented with a ‘V-shaped’ design which featured continuous buildings and sharper edges.
However, this was quickly progressed to the ‘Double fish’ form with two complimentary buildings displaying softer,
curved edging to capture the vision for the scheme
DYNAMIC INTERIORS
Benoy’s Interior Design
Team has also introduced
the geometry of the
architecture, with fluid
ceiling cove forms and
uninterrupted joinery
along the void edges. Large
atriums punctuate the
retail journey and draw
light into the arcades.

A neutral colour palette of

white and reconstituted
stone creates a natural
background for the mall,
showcasing its tenants and
their merchandise to
maximum effect.
 N

Mall Circulation
Service & Voids
Escalators
Lifestyle
Fashion
Lifts
Cinema
Parking Facility
Food Court and Entertainment
Areas

Typical Plan B1
Scale 1:3200
 N

Mall Circulation
Service & Voids
Escalators
Lifestyle
Fashion
Lifts
Cinema
Parking Facility
Food Court and Entertainment
Areas

Typical Plan L1
Scale 1:1600
Section A Facing North
Scale 1:1100
Subway Access
Escalator
Plenary Access
Vertical Access(Stairs)
Pedestrian Access
Subway Access
Escalator
Plenary Access
Vertical access (Stairs)
Pedestrian access
Pedestrian circulation (corridor)
 TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT

As a true Transit Oriented Development (TOD),

the 110,000m2 scheme also establishes a new
public transport interchange for Guangzhou.
Seamlessly connected above and below ground,
Parc Central will be accessible via China’s metro
system and bus network and is linked by
overhead footbridges to the district’s
neighbouring developments. The design enables
the development to function as a multi-
dimensional gathering space with convenient
accessibility above, below and at ground level.
THANK-YOU
Alefiya Stationwala
171110012
Design VIII- Desk Appraisal