Situated in Guangzhou’s Tianhe Smart Valley, ing SQUARE is a mixed-use hub organized around the concept of “The Gathering Place.” From its brand identity to its physical layout, the project is designed as an open and adaptable setting for urban culture.
Playing on the double meaning of “square” as both a physical plaza and a geometric form, the branding emphasizes spatial inclusivity. The design draws inspiration from the rhythmic movement of water ripples.
Geometric blocks arranged in shifting patterns reflect the changing combination of retail concepts and community events within the development.
Spatial identity and adaptability
Designed by Leaping Creative, the project is organized around two principles: minimalist interiors that provide “white space” for individual brands, and modular public zones that can be updated as uses change. The interiors combine an industrial character with a palette of metals and dusty rose. Reconfigurable layouts support adaptability while accommodating retail, community, and cultural activities.
The signage system is integrated into the architecture and adapts to different zones, balancing navigation with a consistent visual identity.
Passive design and operational efficiency
The building adopts a “passive-first” design strategy through elevated ground floors and arcade-style semi-outdoor spaces that support natural ventilation and solar shading. A water-mist system further moderates the local microclimate, reducing air-conditioning demand during operation.
These strategies transform conventional circulation areas into open, shared spaces, with energy-saving and emission-reduction benefits achieved through low-cost physical interventions.
Material efficiency and recycled content
The building’s exterior facade incorporates a sun-shading panel system with widths ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 millimeters. The panels contribute to the architectural identity while also concealing the outdoor air-conditioning units. Their width helps intercept high-angle solar radiation, reducing heat transfer through the building envelope and limiting summer cooling demand.
Concealing the outdoor air-conditioning units behind the panels protects the equipment from direct sun and rain exposure, improving the coefficient of performance (COP). It also integrates the units into the facade, maintaining a consistent exterior appearance.
The panel system's steel substrate and zinc galvanized coating can be recovered and recycled.
The walls of the main indoor public spaces feature Peach Concrete, a high-density concrete incorporating industrial by-products and recovered materials, including fly ash, slag powder, lithium residue, and crushed ceramic particles. Their use supports resource circulation and waste utilization.
Through an optimized mix, industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag powder replace a portion of the cement while maintaining structural strength. Cement consumption can be reduced by up to 50 percent, lowering the embodied carbon associated with the concrete mix.
Recycled-aluminum ceiling mesh
Public-area ceilings incorporate V-shaped metal mesh made entirely from recycled aluminum alloy. Aluminum can be repeatedly recycled, retaining value at the end of its service life when the components are appropriately separated and recovered.
Producing secondary aluminum from recovered scrap generally requires considerably less energy than producing primary aluminum from bauxite. The use of recycled alloy therefore reduces the energy and emissions associated with the ceiling material.
