▲ Guangzhou South Station Discovery Square
01 Background Overview
Guangzhou South Station has evolved over the past fifteen years from a key Pearl River Delta rail transit hub into a vital gateway and living room for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s economic zone. It has undergone six planning and positioning adjustments during this period.
Looking ahead, the core area of Guangzhou South Railway Station is set to become a world-class, large-scale Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) city. The goal is to transform the flow of people into a dynamic exchange of talent, information, capital, and commerce.
Discovery Square, situated at the heart of Guangzhou South Station, is located just 150 meters from Shibi Station on Line 2 of the Guangzhou Metro. The site borders South Station South Road to the southeast and Shizhou Middle Road to the northeast, directly facing Guangzhou South Station with excellent transportation links. To the north lies a green ecological square along the central axis of the South Station, offering abundant landscaping and expansive views.
▲ Project Location Map
▲ General Layout
02 Concept Development
As the urban interface along Shizhou Middle Road at Guangzhou South Railway Station, the project’s architects carefully considered the area’s development plans and surrounding architectural context. They aimed to fully leverage the landscape resources to create an ecological, energy-efficient office building that offers an extendable, shared space for the district.
The project’s layout breaks from traditional rectangular tower plans. By rotating two square blocks of varying heights within a constrained site, the design creatively addresses building orientation and high plot ratio challenges. This approach results in a distinctive sculptural business office form.
The naturally formed air corridors between the blocks enhance natural ventilation across all office levels, while multi-level garden terraces provide unique outdoor spaces, fostering a strong sense of place.
▲ Shape Generation Diagram
▲ Block Combination and Architectural Form
The rotation and layering of high and low blocks facilitate a dynamic dialogue between the building and the urban environment. This approach activates urban nodes and complements the skyline, establishing the building as a key element in the city’s landscape.
▲ South Station Architectural Complex
▲ City Skyline
03 Construction Logic
Emphasizing efficiency and practicality, the project employs a modular structural and spatial system. A high-strength steel frame forms the building’s main skeleton, complemented by clean, modern materials like glass curtain walls and metal panels to create a distinctive facade.
▲ Building Facade Details
To optimize lighting, ventilation, and insulation, the building is wrapped in an eco-friendly, energy-saving skin. This modular facade serves as an indoor shading system while enhancing natural light and maintaining visual transparency. It also effectively reduces noise, improving the office environment.
▲ Building Curtain Wall Skin
The curtain wall incorporates concealed opening vents to facilitate natural ventilation. Vertical sunshade louvers on the east and west facades reduce solar heat gain, significantly lowering building energy consumption.
▲ Architectural Skin Details
04 Quality Control and Details
The facade curtain wall features a refined and restrained design. Vertical lines emphasize upward movement, giving the building a tall, upright presence. Semi-transparent vertical sunshade louvers on the sides add texture and variation to the facade.
▲ Extension of Facade Lines
▲ Entrance Space with Inviting Scale
▲ Comfortable Entrance Lobby
▲ Detailed Facade Elements
▲ Well-Proportioned Facade Segmentation
▲ Facade Modules Based on 650 × 650mm Grid
▲ Diagram of Vertical Opening Fans and Partial Sectional Axonometric (Sunshade Louvers)
05 Functional Layout
The building’s ground floor is dedicated to commercial office support spaces. Floors 3 through 28 serve as standard office areas, with floors 4 and 15 designated as refuge floors. These office floors can be flexibly divided into various space sizes depending on tenant needs, providing efficient, comfortable, and adaptable work environments.
▲ Functional Zoning
▲ Flexible Floor Plan Segmentation
06 Conclusion
As Guangzhou South Station’s industrial support system continues to advance, office buildings become essential carriers for modern industry growth. Discovery Square seamlessly integrates contemporary architecture with the urban landscape, turning buildings into vital cityscape elements that respond to urban development with open, shared environments.
Project Information
Project Name: Guangzhou South Station Discovery Square
Location: Panyu District, Guangzhou City
Design Period: June 2012
Completion Date: July 2021
Land Area: 4,220 square meters
Building Area: 50–509 square meters
Architectural Design: XAA Architecture Firm
Lead Architect: Zhan Tao
Design Team: Tian Wang, Yu Qing, Yang Tao, Xu Yonghui, Lu Side, Xie Zhiquan, Zhao Yujuan
Owner: Guangzhou Aoyao Enterprise Management Consulting Co., Ltd
Construction Drawing: Guangzhou Hanhua Architectural Design Co., Ltd
Curtain Wall Design: Tongcheng Architectural Technology Co., Ltd
Photographer: Wu Yintian
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