SOM completes star river headquarters as a new addition to guangzhou skyline

som Reshapes Pazhou Island’s Business District

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has recently completed the Star River Headquarters, a sculptural skyscraper located in Guangzhou, China‘s Pazhou Island. The tower serves as a centerpiece for a revitalized city block, integrating green space, retail, and public areas. Historically a center for trade, Pazhou Island is undergoing a modern transformation. The Star River Headquarters embodies this change. Its pleated facade creates a tapered silhouette, with alternating planes of light and shadow adding a distinct character. The tower joins two other SOM-designed buildings — the Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce and SANY Irootech Pazhou (see designboom’s previous coverage here). Together, they represent a new generation of office buildings that reshape the skyline and prioritize a blend of urban development and public space.

images © Seth Powers

star river HQ Enhances the Pedestrian Experience

The Star River Headquarters is designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to be a focal point within a public plaza. Lush landscaping and paved walkways radiate from the tower’s glass-enclosed lobby. A signature canopy extends around the base and continues over a neighboring retail building. With this design element, the architects not only conceal mechanical spaces but also creates a covered pedestrian arcade, seamlessly connecting to the district’s retail street. A dedicated entrance with stairs leads visitors down to the subway connection and additional retail offerings.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) completes Star River Headquarters in Guangzhou, China

the high-performing architecture

The Star River Headquarters’ design integrates architectural and engineering elements to achieve a high-performing structure. The tower’s tapered profile reduces wind loads, while its rounded corners allow for column-free spaces, maximizing usable area and offering unobstructed views of the Pearl River for tenants. The pleated facade creates individual bays suitable for both open and closed office layouts along the perimeter. The crown of the building features a latticed structure housing a greenhouse with heritage plants and a reconstructed traditional pavilion situated above a reflecting pool, creating a unique public destination.

the skyscraper serves as a centerpiece for a revitalized city block with green space, retail, and public areas

Sustainable Design Principles

The project prioritizes minimal environmental impact and reduced energy consumption, while ensuring a comfortable and healthy work environment. The facade design shades the exterior walls, minimizing direct sunlight while allowing natural light to reach the interior. This, combined with high-performance curtain wall systems and thermal insulation, reduces cooling needs and improves occupant comfort throughout the year.

The building incorporates a system of mullions that run the entire height, integrating user-controlled panels for natural ventilation. This allows occupants to directly access fresh air. A comprehensive building management system combines environmental control standards, plant monitoring, and a user interface for efficient operations.

Star River Headquarters embodies the modern transformation of Pazhou Island’s business district
the tower’s design integrates with the public plaza, with a glass-enclosed lobby and a signature canopy

the pleated facade minimizes solar heat gain while maximizing natural light penetration

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project info:

project title: Star River Headquarters

architecture: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

location: Guangzhou, China