Hengqin International Financial Center: A New Icon of Power and Culture

Aedas' Masterpiece Reflects Ancient Chinese Mythology and Modern Economic Power

The Hengqin International Financial Center, designed by Aedas, is a mixed-use architectural masterpiece that stands as a testament to the burgeoning economic power of the Pearl River Delta region. The design of the Center draws inspiration from the Chinese idiom of a flood dragon bursting from the sea, a powerful metaphor for a newborn power. This is particularly apt given the Center's location in the Hengqin free trading district, a new economic engine in the emerging megalopolis of the Pearl River Delta, which includes Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai.

The Hengqin International Financial Center is not just an architectural marvel, but also a milestone for the development of the entire region. The Center encompasses a Class-A office building, conference and exhibition facilities, apartments, service facilities, and retail spaces. The unique design of the building highlights the location and celebrates the local culture, making it a true icon of the region.

The facades of the Center are composed mainly of metal plates and two different types of curtain wall glass, which highlight its unique architectural form. The podium facade features parametric surfaces, divided into 1.5mX1.5m triangular elements. The materials used for each face are often based on the functional requirements of the corresponding interior spaces, creating a dynamic interplay between the inside and the outside and resulting in a compelling and unique architectural gesture.

The evolutionary form of the building addresses the distinctive nature of its various functions. The dynamic podium accommodates retail and conference facilities, while the lower part of the tower, dominated by square-shaped office floors, provides international business tenants with efficiency and flexibility. High-end apartments occupy the upper part of the tower, articulated into four slabs, offering astonishing vistas and excellent ventilation.

The project faced several challenges, including the creation of a 334-metre mixed-use high rise with a retail podium and a 30-metre lantern crown rooftop. The façades on all four sides have curvilinear surfaces, requiring a guide rope stabilization system on the suspended work platform to ensure safe and efficient façade maintenance. The free-form glass enclosed podium only permits rope access for the tops and sides of the structure and aerial work platforms for the sides of the podium that are below 35 meters tall.

The Hengqin International Financial Center is not just an architectural achievement, but also a symbol of the region's economic power and cultural heritage. Its design and construction have been recognized with the prestigious Golden A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2017, a testament to its outstanding design and significant impact on the world.