Doughnut-shaped skyscraper completed in China

(Photo: amprogetti.it)

A 33-floor skyscraper shaped like a giant doughnut 138 meters tall has been completed in Guangzhou, China.

Located on the edge of the Pearl River, the Guangzhou Circle was designed by Di Pasquale of Milan studio AM Project to provide an iconic headquarters for Chinese companies Guangdong Hongda Xingye Group and GDPE Guangdong Plastic Exchange.

- The architectural concept is for a building that will be immediately perceived as a native Chinese landmark using a closed and central structure instead of the usual western skyscrapers stereotype - said the architect.

A circle with a 50-metre diameter punctures the heart of the 33-storey structure, turning the building into a hollow circle.

When reflected in the river, this shape becomes a figure of eight - a lucky number in Chinese culture.

- It is inspired by the strong iconic value of jade discs and numerological tradition of feng shui, in particular, the double disc of jade (bi-disk) is the royal symbol of ancient Chinese dynasty that reigned in this area around 2000 years ago - said Di Pasquale.

This figure also corresponds to the number eight and infinity symbol that in Chinese culture have a strong propitiatory value, he added.

The front and rear walls of the building are clad with copper plates, while the curved side walls are broken down into glazed rectilinear boxes.