| Developer Guangdong Poly Urban Development Co., Ltd. | Landscape Design Guangzhou S.P.I Design Co., Ltd. | Project Location Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China | Design Time Jan. 2019 |
Poly Tan Gim, Guangzhou
不一样的烟火Poly Tan Gim is located on the banks of the Pearl River in Liwan District, Guangzhou, adjacent to the golden waterway of the Pearl River. With a total landscape area of approximately 12,000 square meters and a cost of around RMB 1,000 per square meter, the site sits just meters from the riverbank. From the very beginning of the design process, our goal was to interpret the language and emotion of the site.
Leveraging the site’s inherent advantages, we adopted three key strategies:
1. Sharing and Coexistence – Creating a shared private gateway and clarifying the complex circulation routes;
2. Combing and Integrating – Using topography to define open spaces and guiding movement in more enclosed areas with waterscapes;
3. Respecting and Reinterpreting – Preserving original trees and reinterpreting the traditional architectural language of Xiguan.
The design integrates riverside living with the cultural experience of Lingnan (a cultural region including Guangdong and neighboring provinces), revitalizing everyday life and functional activities to create a park that balances public and private space. The material palette is grounded in grey-toned stone, with quartz bricks as the primary surface, accentuated by tactile champagne-toned metals. Custom elements, such as spray-painted glass and metal suspension techniques, are used to craft refined, artistic landscape walls.
In this project rich with the cultural spirit of Liwan District, we aim to bridge urban public and private spaces through landscape design. By evoking collective memories of Xiguan and fostering a sense of participation and belonging, we allow the historic charm of the old city to not only be remembered—but reinterpreted and carried forward into a new era of harmony.
