▲ Guangzhou Shipyard Urban Design Core Area Logo – Time Space Shipyard © SPARK
SPARK has unveiled its proposal for the international competition phase of the “Guangzhou Shipyard Urban Design.” This project aims to present our vision of preserving historical heritage while introducing innovative urban waterfront renewal concepts.
▲ Photograph of the original Guangzhou Shipyard site
With a history spanning over a century, Guangzhou Shipyard holds an irreplaceable place in the history of China’s shipbuilding industry.
▲ Urban Design Master Plan for Guangzhou Shipyard Competition Stage © SPARK
The “Guangzhou Shipyard Urban Design” project aspires to continue this legacy under the banner of “Bay Area Future Port,” creating landmarks and a vibrant “New Living Room of Guangzhou City” that integrates office, commercial, residential, and riverside theme park spaces.
▲ Aerial view of the urban design during Guangzhou Shipyard competition stage © SPARK
Stephen Pinbury, founder and director of SPARK, commented, “The urban design of Guangzhou Shipyard is a large-scale, complex project. We draw upon the shipyard’s unique historical and cultural background to craft an engaging and adaptable spatial environment.”
Planning Highlights: “One Heart, One Ring, Three Belts”
‘One Heart’ – Time and Space Shipyard
▲ “One Heart” Time and Space Shipyard © SPARK
‘One Heart’ refers to the Time and Space Shipyard, the central element of the Guangzhou Shipyard competition plan, blending history with a vision for the future.
▲ Hand-drawn design draft of the Time and Space Shipyard by Stephen Pinbury, director of SPARK © SPARK
The design resembles a spaceship with wings, symbolically reflecting the site’s shipyard heritage.
▲ Historical photos of shipbuilding at Guangzhou Shipyard dockyard
The facade of the Time and Space Shipyard features a glass curtain wall, serving as a daytime landmark that embodies a modern design aesthetic.
▲ “One Heart” Time and Space Shipyard during the day © SPARK
At night, the entire Time and Space Shipyard transforms into a 4K projection surface, offering a vibrant and dynamic light and shadow show.
▲ “One Heart” Time and Space Shipyard at night © SPARK
Positioned along the central axis landscape belt, the Time and Space Shipyard serves as the transportation and green core of the entire site.
Three urban subway lines intersect here, alongside two urban green corridors, making it the “urban public living room” of the project.
▲ Profile of the Time and Space Shipyard © SPARK
▲ Cross-section of the entire site © SPARK
As the public transportation hub of the project, the Time and Space Shipyard allows easy subway access to key destinations like waterfront areas, commercial centers, and office buildings.
▲ Transportation hub at the “One Heart” Time and Space Shipyard © SPARK
Imagine a sunny weekend in the future, where diverse activities take place at the Time and Space Shipyard. Visitors can shop, dine, and enjoy the thrilling zip line experience connecting the shipyard to the iconic gantry crane, all while soaking in picturesque riverside views.
▲ Zip line entertainment project between the Time and Space Shipyard and the shipyard gantry © SPARK
‘One Ring’ – Interactive Industrial Heritage Ring
▲ Red Industrial Heritage Interactive Environment © SPARK
The “One Ring” is an interactive industrial heritage loop encircling the central area. It links the riverside shipyard, backstreet, hotel sunken plaza, Time and Space Shipyard, as well as the shipyard park and extreme sports park located beneath the Longmen Crane.
▲ Photos of the shipyard slipway in Guangzhou
The shipyard near the Binjiang area in Guangzhou stands out as a distinctive industrial heritage site within the project.
▲ Hand-drawn design draft of the Cultural Ark by Stephen Pinbury, director of SPARK © SPARK
▲ Aerial view of the Cultural Ark © SPARK
Here, three futuristic Cultural Ark buildings have been designed, each with a unique but interconnected shape that pays homage to the shipyard’s shipbuilding heritage.
These floating structures rest atop the slipway, freeing up ground-level public space for residents and visitors to explore the riverside.
▲ Overlooking the Cultural Ark © SPARK
In the future, people will be able to jog, take photos, and enjoy the scenic Pearl River views along the riverside slipway.
▲ Enjoying the Cultural Ark along the waterfront trail © SPARK
At night, the futuristic shipyard space and Cultural Ark become a captivating attraction, drawing visitors to linger and appreciate the illuminated environment.
▲ Aerial view of the shipyard’s waterfront space © SPARK
‘Three Belts’ – Commercial Belt, Living Belt, and Riverside Heritage Belt
The “One Heart, One Ring” concept naturally connects three main functional belts, collectively known as the “Three Belts”: the Commercial Belt, the Living Belt, and the Riverside Heritage Belt.
Design-wise, the Commercial Belt preserves the historic memory of the original shipyard buildings, continuing the red brick façade style. The entrance adopts a truss-shaped design inspired by the shipyard building’s gateway.
▲ Photo of the Guangzhou Shipyard building
▲ Vibrant streets © SPARK
The commercial public spaces adopt the shipyard’s industrial-style interior layout. Additionally, some original shipyard slogans are incorporated as decorative elements on the walls.
▲ Interior view of Guangzhou Shipyard buildings
▲ Industrial Heritage Portal © SPARK
Conclusion
The Guangzhou Shipyard urban design is guided by principles of vibrant programming, excellent connectivity, and compact, high-quality public spaces. The goal is to transform the waterfront heritage area into a destination that offers both work and lifestyle value.
▲ Nighttime riverside scene © SPARK
Our vision is to create a lively, meaningful place where people can connect, interact, and enjoy diverse community spaces.
▲ Competition plan model © SPARK
Project Information
△ Location analysis
△ Axis analysis
△ Skyline analysis
△ Base analysis chart
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
△ Analysis chart
Project Details
Project Name: Urban Design of Future Port in Guangzhou Guangchuan Bay Area
Location: Baietan area, Liwan District, Guangzhou City
Developer: Guangzhou Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd.
Planning & Design: SPARK
Project Director: Stephen Pinbury
Project Managers: Zhen Weirong, Yao Jun
Competition Design Team: Luca Maccarinelli, Dan Li, Liliani Saputri, Mark Mancenido, Andriani Wira Atmadja, Michael Halagao, Jingren Tan, Cantona Ang Boon Kang, Brian Mah, Clarissa Lim
Total Planned Construction Area: 1,254,000 square meters
Maximum Building Height: 300 meters
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