Located in Guangzhou, a dynamic city with a strong economy, the Bai’etan Exhibition Center project launched the transformation of Julong Bay into a resilient and vibrant mixed-use district along Pearl River. A former industrial site occupied by large warehouses, factories, and docks has become a public waterfront with a variety of spaces and programs serving the nearby communities.

The design concept, Living with Ficus, connects Julong Bay’s past and future with its most distinctive landscape feature. The existing Ficus grove along the canal is preserved for shade, habitat value, and site identity. Patterns distilled from the Ficus, warehouses, and water are applied to the floodwall panel and railing design, while Ficus Café activates the waterfront and generates income to support the project’s daily operation and maintenance costs.

The spatial design builds a conversation between the contemporary public landscape and the site’s industrial history. The warehouse plaza extends the configuration of the historical building façade. The restored dock recalls the busy working riverfront while providing a unique focal point and access to the river.

The entire site is universally accessible, free and open to all. Flexible spaces are created across the site to accommodate diverse activities. Groves of native trees in the plaza provide much-needed shade while allowing for various uses. Existing Royal Poinciana clustered along Pearl River were carefully preserved as the heart of the inclusive platform, boasting spectacular views of the river.

The project adopted many sustainable landscape initiatives during its design and construction. As a result, it reduced 365 tons of carbon emission, decreased electricity usage by 60%, saved $8,000 in the annual cost of stormwater management, planted five times more vegetation, and saved 12% on construction cost. The project received the first SITES platinum certification in China.

The project’s success boosted the land value of the district and attracted large capital investment in developing 11 parcels nearby, catalyzing the overall urban regeneration of Julong Bay Area.

Statement on Sustainability

Bai’etan Exhibition Center, the first SITES Platinum project in China, sets a sustainable model for post-industrial site regeneration with its remarkable carbon footprint reduction, habitat restoration, and increased resiliency.

The project maximized material reuse and preservation. The existing bricks, concrete, and wooden beams are salvaged and repurposed into landscape elements; existing floodwalls are integrated with bar tables and benches; most existing trees are preserved, providing valuable shade and habitat on site. Comprehensive assemblies are designed at decking and floodwall’s cladding, which allows the material to be easily dismantled and reused in the future.

A strong and quickly renewable material, bamboo lumber, is used for all benches, bar tables, handrails, and decking, while extensive shaded spaces are created for comfortable outdoor experience and reduced AC usage at nearby buildings. Local materials and contractors were sourced to decrease the project’s embedded carbon and help the local economy.

Nature-based solutions featuring rain gardens and permeable pavement control 82% of runoff on site. New plants are native to the region providing valuable wildlife habitat.

Overall, the project will reduce approximately 365 tons of carbon emissions and sequester 125 tons of carbon annually. The Center is pioneering climate change adaptation to benefit future generations.

Client: Guangzhou Zhujiang Industrial Park Investment Development Co., Ltd.

Collaborator: Pubang Landscape Architecture Co., Ltd. (Collaborator for Construction Documents, Contractor)