South Sales Center
Project Overview
The Tangshan Blue Bay Town project is situated on the southeast coast of Leting County, Tangshan City, occupying the northern land of Tangshan Bay International Tourism Island (BIM learning). Serving as the commercial hub, the town center is positioned in the southwest corner of the site. Xiangying Road intersects Haijing Avenue at a 70° angle, creating a narrow triangular plot which defines the project’s land use. This center includes a life experience hall alongside various community facilities.
Overall Architectural Perspective
Venue and Architecture
As the primary gateway connecting the city, the architectural design focuses on creating an effective and coherent image by addressing four key aspects:
- Integration with the site;
- Creating an iconic urban frontage;
- Seamlessly linking with the overall New Chinese style architecture of the project;
- Developing multi-level public spaces that foster vibrant urban life.
A “C”-shaped umbrella pillar and a mirrored reflecting pool face the intersection.
Two bar-shaped volumes are positioned along the urban road frontage, opening toward the road intersection to create a display façade with an accessible front plaza. A shallow mirrored water pool acts as a buffer between the building and the urban environment, offering a serene and elegant atmosphere.
Building volumes opening toward the road intersection
Southwest Opening and Reflecting Pool
The 10-meter-high cast-in-place concrete umbrella-shaped columns serve as the iconic elements of the building. Positioned at two corners, these columns rise to support a “C”-shaped flat roof, harmonizing the overall building volume under one unified and minimalist architectural form.
C-shaped umbrella pillar detail
The community support center on the east side features a New Chinese style flat roof, blending modern design with traditional elements to create a smooth transition between the urban interface and the community environment.
Functional Layout and Spatial Flow
The building comprises three distinct volumes:
- The western volume, facing the urban road, serves living support functions with distinctive dining and activity areas.
- The southern volume houses the life experience hall, which initially functioned as the sales office during the early project phase.
- The eastern volume is adjacent to the community’s main entrance, hosting convenience facilities such as supermarkets, restaurants, gyms, and medical centers.
View of the building from the west
South Side Life Experience Hall
Life Experience Hall at Twilight
East Side Building
The spatial flow extends from west to east along the city interface, opening in multiple directions to guide pedestrian movement from all sides. Between each volume, a main entry sequence forms a transition zone connecting the urban environment to the interior landscaped courtyard. The two concrete umbrella columns serve as spatial landmarks, while the projecting flat roof defines the vertical space, creating a sheltered “grey space” for visitors to pass through and linger.
South Side Opening
Architectural Texture and Expression
The life experience hall and western supporting facilities embrace a modern design approach. Along the urban frontage, a double-skin façade system is employed: the inner layer consists of block walls and elongated windows, while the outer layer is clad with white perforated aluminum panels. This design balances functional requirements with a clean, minimalist urban appearance. At night, the perforated panels illuminate from within, casting a soft, atmospheric glow.
Double-skin façades along the street front
Material details
Facing the interior courtyard, the architectural interface features antique bronze carved metal decorative panels that resonate with the project’s New Chinese style, softening the transition to the community’s internal environment. The highlighted metal canopy diminishes the perceived mass of the building and establishes a human-scale environment.
Metal canopy in the interior courtyard
The eastern living facilities adopt a New Chinese architectural style consistent with the entire project. The design showcases a collage of materials with meticulous detailing, pushing architectural craftsmanship to its limits. Thin metal lines spaced 30mm apart are embedded in off-white stone, elevating the building’s quality. The LOW-E glass hidden frame curtain wall sharply contrasts with the stone surface, emphasizing its texture.
Eastern living facilities
Multi-Level Open Spaces
Our design incorporates multi-level open spaces for visitors to explore, relax, and engage in various activities. At the city corner, a mirrored pool and activity zone enhance the venue’s overall presence. An entrance plaza on the east side accommodates diverse commercial purposes. The enclosed interior courtyard offers a private and comfortable recreational area. The passage connecting the courtyard with urban space—marked by the umbrella columns—creates a ceremonial transition that elevates the spatial quality.
East courtyard corridor
Mirrored water pool at the corner
East side inward courtyard
East side inward courtyard
East side inward courtyard
Southeast Entrance
As a representative community-based public building, this project aims to foster an organic connection among the city, community, and its people, creating a truly unique public space.
Drawings
Axonometric Drawing
General Layout
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Elevation Drawing
Project Details
Architect: GOA Elephant Design
Location: Haigang Development Zone, Leting County, Tangshan, China
Curtain Wall Design: Suzhou Golden Mantis Curtain Wall
Landscape Design: Greentown Garden
Owner: Tangshan Haigang New City Real Estate Development Co., Ltd
Building Area: 8,800 sq. meters
Project Year: 2018
Photographer: Zhao Yilong
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