The Huafa R&D Center stands as a defining landmark in Zhuhai’s Free Trade Zone, symbolizing the city’s evolution into a world-class business and innovation hub. Designed by MUDI in partnership with MLA+, the project captures the essence of Zhuhai’s natural beauty while embracing modern architectural and environmental design principles. Completed in 2018, this 121,000-square-meter mixed-use development combines office, commercial, and serviced apartment functions to create a vibrant, sustainable urban destination.
A Gateway to the New Zhuhai
As the first high-rise constructed in Zhuhai’s Free Trade Zone, the Huafa R&D Center establishes a new architectural benchmark for the area’s future development. It serves as a catalyst for urban growth, aligning with the city’s vision of integrating industry, finance, and innovation within a harmonious and livable environment.
Strategically positioned near the Doumen River, the tower contributes to the district’s transformation into a dynamic urban center that balances progress with natural beauty. Its completion marks a milestone in Zhuhai’s plan to foster sustainable urbanization while enhancing the quality of life for residents and workers alike.
Inspired by Southern China’s Natural Landscapes
The architectural concept draws from the dramatic sandstone formations found in Southern China’s mountainous regions. These natural rock structures, characterized by horizontal erosion lines and subtle layers of vegetation, inspired the building’s textured façade and sculptural form.
The tower’s design reinterprets the relationship between rock and vegetation, integrating lush green terraces, cascading balconies, and rooftop gardens that blend with the surrounding hills. This connection to nature reinforces the building’s identity as a symbol of balance between natural beauty and human ingenuity.
Designing for Climate and Context
Zhuhai’s subtropical climate played a central role in shaping the building’s form and envelope. The tower and its commercial podium are designed for maximum openness and permeability, encouraging natural airflow and daylight while minimizing energy consumption.
- The South façade features horizontal fins that provide optimal sun-shading, ensuring thermal comfort and continuity with the podium’s façade design.
- The North façade, oriented toward office spaces, adopts a more restrained configuration to control solar gain from the west while preserving views of Macau and Shizimen’s skyline through a distinctive zig-zag geometry.
These strategies reduce energy demands and foster an indoor-outdoor dialogue, essential for subtropical living.
Public Spaces and Lingnan Heritage
At the ground level, the commercial plaza and outdoor public spaces take inspiration from Lingnan architecture, known for its inner courtyards and climatic sensitivity. The arrangement allows sunlight to penetrate throughout the year while protecting users from street noise and excessive heat.
The result is a comfortable, human-scaled environment that combines urban vibrancy with cultural heritage. The landscape and podium levels provide shaded arcades and water features that encourage social interaction and create a serene microclimate.
A Sustainable Urban Landmark
The Huafa R&D Center embodies the fusion of architecture, nature, and innovation. It represents Zhuhai’s commitment to sustainability, livability, and identity—qualities essential for attracting international business, tourism, and investment.
By combining bioclimatic design, passive cooling strategies, and contextual sensitivity, MUDI and MLA+ have created more than just a building—it is a living symbol of the city’s forward-looking spirit.
