Master Plan and Administration Centre

Guangzhou, China

Master Plan and Administration Centre
Guangzhou, China
2005

program: Master Plan and government buildings for the new city of Nansha
floor area: 80 ha
offices: 125 000 m2
client: Guangzhou Urban Planning and Design Survey Research Institute
project: Alfonso Femia * with Metrogramma, RBA & GZPI
structural engineering: Stefano Migliaro
images: ©Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia & Metrogramma, RBA, Attu Studio
“The buildings float, rising from the ground, as a sort of impression in the territory. They interpret the stratification of buildings and temples. The materials go together with the rarefaction of the building towards the hills. At night they allow the overturning of the weight of the buildings – covered by a ‘skin’ of iridescent glass – enabling them to float just like light rings.” AF
The landscape is deeply furrowed by water and by the new transport services, designed in anticipation of the rapid growth of the whole area. The project stresses the relationship between the naturalness of the woods and the artificiality of the fields, outlining a square and wide latifundium delimited by the wood and extending towards the hills. The buildings float, rising from the ground, as a sort of impression in the territory. They “interpret” the stratification of buildings and temples.
The materials (stone, steel and glass) go together with the rarefaction of the building towards the hills. At night they allow the overturning of the weight of the buildings – covered by a “skin” of iridescent glass – enabling them to float just like light rings. A light “monumentality”, designed from the selection of the open-air location and of its notable character.