Administrative Building

Have you ever seen a building that looks like a giant coin? Right here in Guangzhou stands the Administrative Building, also known as the Guangzhou Circle. It’s the headquarters of the Hongda Xingye Group, a company that deals with a surprising commodity: plastic. The Guangzhou Circle is more than just a unique office building. It’s a statement, a symbol, and a story waiting to be told. The Administrative Building, completed in 2013, was designed by Italian architect Joseph di Pasquale. He didn’t want to simply build another skyscraper. He envisioned an “urban ideogram”, a building that spoke to the local culture. Imagine the ancient jade discs of the Chinese dynasties, symbols of power and prosperity. Now picture the Administrative Building’s reflection in the Pearl River, creating that very same image: a double jade disc. The number 8, associated with good fortune in Chinese culture, plays a role here too. The double jade disc shape resembles the number 8, and it even echoes the infinity symbol. Di Pasquale was inspired by the ancient jade discs associated with a Chinese dynasty that ruled this very land two millennia ago. He was also influenced by the Italian Renaissance concept of “squaring the circle”. This is reflected in the Administrative Building’s design. The circular facades enclose and support the floors within, transforming the perfect circle into usable, square spaces. The Administrative Building stands 33 stories tall, reaching a height of 138 meters. Its most striking feature is the empty hole at its center, a perfect circle 48 meters in diameter. This makes it the tallest circular building in the world, a record that has earned it a place in CNN’s list of the ten most interesting buildings worldwide in 2014. It’s a landmark that blends Eastern symbolism with Western architectural concepts. The Administrative Building, with its unique design, represents a new type of landmark, one that embraces cultural roots while looking towards the future. It’s a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring allure of ancient symbols, right here in the heart of modern Guangzhou.