After the successful Shanghai ‘Bridge 8’
project, we were assigned to design another creative village in the Guangzhou
area in China. Main challenges in this run-down factories renovation project
are the complex topography and location, with numerous residential houses
scattered within the site, designing welcoming entrances and fluid paths
required tremendous on-site research and brainstorming.
We approached the problem by integrating
the ‘agora’ technique, which means ‘gathering place’ in Greek. The site is
divided into 9 major areas, with each area containing their own distinctive identity
and character. Linking ‘agoras’ are inserted in between these areas, creating a
continuous and interesting flow of spaces filled with dynamic activities
The Super AGORA renovation project is
comprised of retail spaces, office blocks and residential apartments. This new
creative village will turn out to be a new destination for living, working and
leisure for the city of Guangzhou.