In Guangzhou, China, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has designed the recently completed Star River Headquarters to minimize embodied carbon, reduce energy consumption, and create a healthy work environment. The 48-story tower is located in the business district on Guangzhou’s Pazhou Island.
The tower’s pleated façade ascends in a parabolic taper, which reduces wind loads while creating vertical planes of light and shadow. This design provides shading to reduce direct sunlight while at the same time allowing diffuse daylight to enter the interior spaces. In addition, the envelope’s high-performance curtain wall systems and thermal insulation reduce cooling loads and improve indoor comfort.
Building design features rounded corners, open floor plates
Individual bays formed by the pleats can accommodate both open and closed offices on the building’s perimeter. The building’s rounded corners are free of columns, creating open floor plates with views of the Pearl River.
Mullions that run the entire building height of 259.5 meters (851 feet) integrate operable panels, so occupants have direct access to fresh air. The building’s crown features a latticed structure containing a greenhouse with heritage plants and a pavilion with a reflecting pool.
The building is located on a public plaza with native landscaping and paved areas around the glass-enclosed lobby. The building’s canopy wraps around the base and extends above a retail building, forming a covered pedestrian arcade. This design also conceals the mechanical spaces on the block’s edge. Visitors can access the retail offerings and subway connection below grade.
The building management system includes environmental control standards, plant monitoring, and a user interface that allows for efficient operations.
On the Building Team:
Owner/developer: Guangzhou Star River Commercial Investment And Development Co, Ltd.
Design architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Architect of record: Guangzhou Design Institution
MEP engineer and structural engineer: SOM
General contractor: Zhongtian Construction Group Co., Ltd.
Interior design: ChengChung + Design
Lighting design: Leox Design Partnership|
Façade consultant: Shanghai PFT Construction Consulting Co.
![Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-1_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-2_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-3_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-7_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-8-fix_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-12_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-13_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-14_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-15_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-16_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-17_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-18_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-20_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-22_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-23_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-25_large.jpg)
![Star River Headquarters, designed by SOM. Photo by Seth Powers, courtesy SOM](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pazhou%20Star%20River-final-tiff-27_large.jpg)
Related Stories
Government Buildings | Nov 25, 2020
New Indiana Toll Road headquarters creates unified environment for staff
New LEED Gold facility consolidates operations for tollway authority.
Smart Buildings | Nov 20, 2020
The Weekly show: SPIRE smart building rating system, and pickleball court design tips
The November 19 episode of BD+C's The Weekly is available for viewing on demand.
Office Buildings | Nov 17, 2020
Former elementary school becomes modern office space in North Charleston
The Middleton Group is designing the project.
Government Buildings | Nov 13, 2020
Tax shortfalls nip government projects in the bud
Federal contracts are proceeding, but states and cities are delaying, deferring, and looking for private investment.
AEC Tech | Nov 12, 2020
The Weekly show: Nvidia's Omniverse, AI for construction scheduling, COVID-19 signage
BD+C editors speak with experts from ALICE Technologies, Build Group, Hastings Architecture, Nvidia, and Woods Bagot on the November 12 episode of "The Weekly." The episode is available for viewing on demand.
Office Buildings | Nov 9, 2020
HWKN unveils Bushwick Generator office campus
The building will become a new hub for innovative companies in Brooklyn.
Building Team Awards | Nov 2, 2020
It's back to the future for this contractor
Poettker Construction’s new headquarters in rural Breese, Ill., is recognized with a Bronze Award in BD+C’s 2020 Building Team Awards.
Smart Buildings | Oct 26, 2020
World’s first smart building assessment and rating program released
The SPIRE Smart Building Program will help building owners and operators make better investment decisions, improve tenant satisfaction, and increase asset value.
Office Buildings | Oct 14, 2020
Chicago’s Bank of America Tower completes, opens
Goettsch Partners designed the project.
Office Buildings | Oct 9, 2020
One of the few Class A office buildings in New York’s East Harlem should start construction early next year
Big floor plates will accommodate tenant customization.