Gulao Water Town is nestled along the picturesque Xijiang River in Jiangmen City, known for its intricate network of waterways and the authentic natural charm of its surrounding piers. Serving as the gateway to the entire ecological zone of the water town, the Guest Center project is designed to preserve the indigenous water town characteristics and rejuvenate the town’s image.
The design approach draws deeply from Jiangmen Gulao’s local features and untouched ecological elements. Many native cultural traits have been carefully integrated into the design to evoke the original perception and first impression of the water town — pure nature and pristine ecology.
Design philosophy embraces two perspectives: a positive approach that reflects local humanities and arts rooted authentically in the land; and a reverse-thinking approach that imagines how an element emerging from the water can symbolize the local culture’s evolution from historical roots toward modernity.
The design concept is inspired by the experience of boating along the Hetang Waterway in Gulao Water Town, where the breeze gently moves the boat and the lotus leaves sway. On a hot summer day, watching the lotus leaves ripple in the wind, feeling the soft breeze on the face brings a sense of calm and relaxation.
The Guest Center abstractly interprets the three-dimensional textures of lotus leaf folds, creating a welcoming public space where visitors from all directions can pause, overlook the Xijiang River, and enjoy moments of rest and contemplation. The design intentionally breaks from the uniformity of lotus leaves, organically pruning forms based on landscape values and visual focal points to craft a neat, lively, and engaging environment.
The center is composed of three distinct spatial zones: an upper viewing platform, a middle resting area, and a lower exhibition space. The simple and clear architectural form allows the scenery to evolve dynamically as visitors move through the building.
The roof features shading made from locally sourced natural hemp rope, which not only maintains the building’s overall unity but also showcases regional ecological materials in a contemporary suspended style. This design choice enhances the visual appeal of the rooftop viewing area, turning the building itself into an attractive part of the landscape.
The design’s core intention is to create a contemplative space for meditation and reflection. With a bottom-up perspective, the inward and outward gaze is drawn upwards, inviting visitors to forget the outside world’s noise and focus on the serene horizon ahead while observing drifting clouds.
This visionary project uses traditional local materials to reinterpret architectural form, creating a new generation of water town living spaces. Its goal is to preserve regional culture, honor nature, and embrace the future.
Project Drawings
△ Design Sketch
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ Facade Section View
△ Detailed Construction Drawing
△ Detailed Construction Drawing
Project Information
Architectural Design: Shenzhen Huahui Design
Area: 4344 m²
Project Year: 2020
Photographer: Hu Kangyu
Materials: Xifuman from Italy, Moyi wood grain paint, Jinyao rope net
Lead Architects: Ling Zheng, Ouyang Jing, Zhou Guangying
Design Team: Zhang Huijun, Ye Jiayi, Liu Xin, Chen Jiajian, Fu Hao, Xiang Bo, Chen Runsen
Client: Jiangmen Overseas Chinese Town
Construction Drawing Design: Shenzhen Architectural Design and Research Institute
Landscape Design: Renhao Design
Location: Jiangmen, China
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