“It’s like a dragon rolling over the sea, its fury akin to swallowing the mountain.” Rising 339 meters high near the convergence of the Pearl River and the South China Sea, this tower ascends in four distinct sections, resembling four dragons breaking through barriers to soar into the sky, surveying the entire water area below. This impressive skyscraper vividly recreates the mythical scene of the “dragon going out to sea” and stands as the latest creation of Zhuhai Hengqin International Financial Center by Aedas.
Following the release of the Development Plan Outline for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Zhuhai has emerged as a key city among the three main poles, attracting significant attention for future planning and development. Hengqin, the only national strategic new area in Zhuhai connected by land to Hong Kong and Macao, is rapidly becoming a vital engine for regional growth. Leveraging its unique geographical advantages, Hengqin also plays a crucial role in supporting the “Belt and Road” initiative and the free trade era.
The project is positioned on Hengqin Island within the upcoming financial district, strategically linking Hong Kong and Macao to the east, Guangdong to the west, the Pearl River Delta to the north, and Hengqin itself to the south. It serves as the central hub of the cross-shaped waterway connecting Zhuhai and Macao.
“Our aim is to create a landmark building on this promising land that symbolizes the rebirth of the financial district, reflects Hengqin’s thriving development, and embodies China’s strength in the new era,” explained Dr. Andy Wen, Global Design Director of Aedas. The project combines multiple functions, including Grade A office spaces, conference and exhibition areas, serviced apartments, and retail outlets. The design situates commercial retail and conference centers within accessible podium areas, places Grade A office spaces in the mid- to lower-level floors, and locates serviced apartments in the quieter upper floors.
The design fully leverages the site’s natural setting between mountains and sea, embracing the theme “Jiaolong Going Out to Sea” to symbolize new strength. Inspiration was drawn from Chen Rong’s iconic Southern Song Dynasty painting “Nine Dragons.” The sinuous and dynamic lines of the podium evoke a mighty dragon hovering, while the tower’s simple, bold form conveys the power of breaking through the waters. The building’s impressive silhouette interacts with the nearby sea surface, inspiring imaginations of the “Jiaolong Going Out to Sea” legend.
The tower is divided into four parts that extend outward from the podium’s body, symbolizing the fusion of urban essences from Zhuhai, Macao, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen into one, becoming a jewel in the Pearl River Estuary megacity.
Given Zhuhai’s extended typhoon season, the building adopts a streamlined shape to minimize wind pressure on the tower. The orientation and podium openings were carefully designed to reduce wind resistance, lessen gusts, and enhance pedestrian comfort. The curtain wall, composed of flowing glass and metal panels, cascades downward like a vast curtain fluttering in the wind, enveloping the tall exhibition hall within the podium and forming a striking, recognizable entrance canopy.
To seamlessly transition from tower to podium, the design incorporates twisting volumes along both the central and horizontal axes. This allows the podium’s roof to extend upward and blend into the tower’s outer walls, elegantly uniting the tall, slender tower with the broad, lower podium through dynamic, graceful lines.
Architecture is not only a form of artistic expression but also a practical solution that can be realized effectively. The team employed digital tools and parametric technology to subdivide the curtain wall into numerous small panel units, meticulously calculating panel sizes to minimize the variety of panel types while ensuring smooth curve transitions through careful design control.
In the transition area between the podium and tower, adjusting the angle of louver fixing components enables the façade lines to flow naturally without curved louvers. The podium’s louvers are rationalized and segmented, shifting from straight to twisted louvers smoothly. Ultimately, flat glass forms the main material, supplemented by minimal single-curved glass to perfectly render the 3D curves—achieving high precision in design while reducing construction costs and complexity.
Project Drawings
△ Location Analysis
△ Location Analysis
△ Model Generation
△ First Floor Combination Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Sketch
△ Technical Drawings
Project Information
Architect: Aedas
Area: 218,955 m²
Project Year: 2020
Photographer: Aedas, CreatAR Images
Global Design Director: Wen Zixian
Chairman and Global Design Director: Ji Dafu
Executive Director: Lin Shijie
Owner: Zhuhai Huafa Urban Operation Investment Holdings Co., Ltd
Location: Zhuhai, China
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