Guangzhou Circle
Guangzhou Circle is a landmark building completed in 2013, located on the edge of the Pearl River, Guangdong province, China.
The iconic building was designed by the Italian architect Joseph Di Pasquale as headquarters for Hongda Xingye Group and Guangdong Plastic Exchange. It was intended to serve as a contrast with the stereotypical skyscrapers of the west.
Reaching 138 m, the building has 33 storeys and a total floor area of 85,000 sq. m. It is formed by two rows of blocks that are progressively pushed out to an extreme cantilever of 25 m. This creates a 50 m diameter circular hole in the centre of the building which has almost no architectural comparison anywhere in the world.
The building’s front and rear walls are clad with copper plates, while the curved side walls are formed by a series of glazed rectilinear boxes.
The design concept was inspired by jade discs and the numerological tradition of fengh shui in China. When reflected in the surface of the river, it represents the double disc of jade synonymous with the ancient Chinese dynasty of the area, as well as the number ‘8’, which has a strong resonance in Chinese culture.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building of the week series.
- Build operate transfer BOT.
- CCTV Headquarters.
- Fuji TV Building, Tokyo.
- Gate to the East.
- MahaNakhon, Bangkok.
- Manchester Civil Justice Centre.
- Nakagin Capsule Tower.
- Phoenix International Media Center, Beijing.
- Office Center 1000 Kaunas.
- Republic of Kugelmugel.
- Robot Building, Bangkok.
- Teapot building.
- The Atomium.
- Unusual building design of the week.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.