Dongguan Garage Building: A Sculptural Marvel in Urban Architecture

Guowei Zhang's Award-Winning Design Transforms Parking into Art

The design's unique properties lie in its inspiration and location. Zhang's team extended two major streets as flowing, water-like ribbons, reforming the chaotic existing parking conditions in the vicinity. The result is a garage building that not only serves its functional purpose but also stands as a landmark in the urban landscape.

The realization of this design is a testament to the flexibility of flowing water. Using a linear design language, the continuous white ribbon waves and fluctuates, spiraling upwards to form the everchanging beauty of the facade. The chosen material, GRC, reflects the unique textures of the flowing curves, merging the building with the vast land as one.

The design team has meticulously planned the functions of the project, designating retail spaces from B1 to P2 and on the rooftop. A floating pedestrian bridge connects the central retail square and the city park, enhancing the building's integration with its surroundings. This design's interaction with its environment is a key feature, creating a set of architectural language from inside to outside, harmoniously fused with the urban context.

The Garage Building in Dongguan, China, is a pilot project to renew the city’s image and relieve the pressure on its traffic network. The project, which started in 2019 and is set to be completed in 2022, is located at the intersection of Shizhu Road and Tiyu Road, Guangcheng District. This area, long troubled by traffic issues, will benefit from the innovative design concepts integrated into this new urban landmark.

The design team overcame several challenges in realizing this project. They used a highly expressive and space-saving spiral ramp structure, which directs vehicles quickly and efficiently, improving parking efficiency. The garage uses a sloping floor parking design, estimated to be 30% more efficient in space use, providing 25% more usable parking spots. The design also separates pedestrian and vehicle circulations, enabling flexible responses to emergencies in the garage.

In conclusion, Guowei Zhang's Dongguan Garage Building is a remarkable example of how innovative design can transform the mundane into the extraordinary. By combining functionality with aesthetic appeal, this project redefines the concept of urban architecture, setting a new standard for future designs.