The Guangzhou Knowledge City Core Area is envisioned to be a gathering place for global innovation and to be the new national knowledge centre. It aims to boost the Bay Area’s acceleration towards a knowledge economy era and establish a new model for knowledge-oriented development and urbanisation.

In order to build a lively, multi-dimensional living and industrial compound, the design introduces an accessible and highly-efficient vertical system and complex communication network.

The design leverages on DP’s “hub ecology” framework to propose a knowledge-driven development model which adapts the needs of the new industrial thrust and to attract talent by having a high concentration of social and support facilities.

In order to be versatile and future-ready, three types of building modules are implemented, namely the low-level large flat layer, middle-level sharing layer and high-level high capacity layer. The combination of the three types can be customised according to different spatial requirements.

To enhance its identity as an international knowledge social platform, the sharing layer of the building module provides flexible and mobile sharing facilities along with the multi-dimensional 24-hour public corridor which connects the knowledge innovation space and communication space.

Ultimately, the development will introduce a new industrial driver to rejuvenate the regional development, introduce a vertical “growth” strategy for densification and create an appealing and dynamic working and living environment to attract young talent.