Don’t Call It a Doughnut: The Guangzhou Circle Building in Guangzhou

The Guangzhou Circle is a 33-storey office and retail building in Guangzhou, China—not a doughnut-shaped attraction. Its ring form is an inhabited architectural structure: the design team used it to connect a locally specific symbol with the Renaissance idea of “squaring the circle,” while arranging practical interior floors within a circular exterior.

What is the Guangzhou Circle?

Officially named Guangzhou Circle, and also recorded as the GDPE Landmark Building, it stands in Guangzhou, China. The Council on Vertical Urbanism (CTBUH) classifies it as an office/retail building. The architect’s project description says it houses the headquarters of Hongda Xingye Group and the Guangdong Plastic Exchange (GDPE); those are reported project functions, not confirmation of current tenancy or GDPE operations.

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		SOUJOY 444 Pcs Chemistry Molecular Model for Building Organic and Inorganic Structures, 3D Visual...	$22.99	Buy on Amazon

CTBUH lists a height of 138 metres, 33 floors, completion in 2013, a tower gross floor area of 83,000 m² and a 47-metre centre circle. The architect-provided project description published by ArchDaily gives a floor area of 85,000 m² and a 48-metre inner hole. The sources do not explain the differences, so these figures should be read with their respective attributions rather than combined into a single definitive measurement.

Who designed it, and when was it completed?

Joseph di Pasquale and AM project designed the building after winning an international competition in 2009, according to the project account. CTBUH identifies AMprogetti as design architect and the Architectural Design and Research Institute of South China University of Technology as architect of record. It also lists SIGGMA as structural engineer for design and the university institute as structural engineer of record.

#1 Best Overall

SOUJOY 444 Pcs Chemistry Molecular Model for Building Organic and Inorganic Structures, 3D Visual Science Learning Set with Atoms Bonds, Links and Short Link Remover Tool for Students, Teachers

• Package: Include 444 pieces chemistry molecular model kit, including 132 atoms, 158 bonds and 150 parts for Carbon-60(Fullerene), you can now understand 3D complex molecule structures
• High Quality Material: SOUJOY Chemistry model kit is made of high quality PP and LDPE to manufacture, feel smooth, no scraps or cutting edges from the holes, easy to remove and put on
• 3D Visual Active Learning: This organic and inorganic model kit is designed for easy chemistry learning for organic, inorganic, ochem and functional groups, you can now understand 3D complex molecule structures with ease by building your favorite molecules with them
• Perfect Gift for Learning: Our chemistry kit is modeling simple and small to more advanced and complex chemical structures for schools and college level, students of all ages, researchers and enthusiasts
• Easy to Storage: The atom parts and links are color coded to national standards for ease of identification, and the pieces come in a slim plastic box for convenient storage

$22.99

Buy on Amazon

CTBUH records the completion year as 2013. The architect’s project description dates the completion ceremony to 16 December 2013.

Why is the Guangzhou Circle round?

A ring as a local landmark

The architect describes the circle as an “urban logo”: a recognizable landmark intended to differ from the familiar vertical-tower type. The project team connects the ring to a Chinese bi jade disc. In the concept narrative, the building’s reflection in the Pearl River doubles the disc image; the architect then links that doubled form to the number eight and its auspicious associations.

These are the designer’s stated references, not a universal account of how residents interpret the building. Joseph di Pasquale’s practice has also described the project through the idea of roots; on the practice’s Archilovers page, the architect says, “Roots are essential to me.”

“Squaring the circle” in the building’s construction

The second design reference is “squaring the circle,” associated in the project narrative with the Italian Renaissance. The project team translates that tension into a building with circular façades and usable, orthogonal interior spaces. The architect’s account says the 33 floors are arranged as two rows of volumes, with groups of storeys pushed outward from the ring and cantilevers reaching as far as 25 metres. It places the exchange hall just below the central opening.

In the same architect-provided account, an initial structural concept was developed and tested at the wind gallery of the Polytechnic of Milan; structural calculations and final testing were carried out by South China University of Technology in Guangzhou. These details describe the project team’s account of the design process, alongside CTBUH’s separate record of the engineering roles.

What is inside the Guangzhou Circle?

The building is recorded as office/retail, rather than as a public observation tower or entertainment venue. The architect’s project description reports the Hongda Xingye Group headquarters and Guangdong Plastic Exchange as occupants or functions, with the exchange hall below the central opening. The available project records do not establish what businesses currently operate there or which interior spaces, if any, are open to visitors.

Can you visit the Guangzhou Circle?

Current public access, tours, observation facilities and opening hours are not documented in the cited building and project records. Do not assume that the central opening or the building’s landmark status means it has a public viewing area or visitor entry. Check with the building or an official local visitor-information source before planning an interior visit.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1

SOUJOY 444 Pcs Chemistry Molecular Model for Building Organic and Inorganic Structures, 3D Visual Science Learning Set with Atoms Bonds, Links and Short Link Remover Tool for Students, Teachers

$22.99

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.