Architecture

Don't call it a doughnut: The Guangzhou Circle Mansion

Don't call it a doughnut: The Guangzhou Circle Mansion
The Guangzhou Circle Mansion (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
The Guangzhou Circle Mansion (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
View 21 Images
The circular hole measures 48 m (157 ft) in diameter (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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The circular hole measures 48 m (157 ft) in diameter (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Guangzhou Circle Mansion has a total floor space of 85,000 sq m (914,000 sq ft), spread over 33 floors (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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Guangzhou Circle Mansion has a total floor space of 85,000 sq m (914,000 sq ft), spread over 33 floors (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Despite its appearance, the building's design bears no relation whatsoever to tasty dough-based treats (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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Despite its appearance, the building's design bears no relation whatsoever to tasty dough-based treats (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
The building is 138 m (452 ft) high (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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The building is 138 m (452 ft) high (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
The building currently serves as home to the Guangdong Plastic Exchange, and also hosts several exclusive office units, and a hotel (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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The building currently serves as home to the Guangdong Plastic Exchange, and also hosts several exclusive office units, and a hotel (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
The circular hole measures 48 m (157 ft) in diameter (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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The circular hole measures 48 m (157 ft) in diameter (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Despite its appearance, the building's design bears no relation whatsoever to tasty dough-based treats (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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Despite its appearance, the building's design bears no relation whatsoever to tasty dough-based treats (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
The building currently serves as home to the Guangdong Plastic Exchange, and also hosts several exclusive office units, and a hotel (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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The building currently serves as home to the Guangdong Plastic Exchange, and also hosts several exclusive office units, and a hotel (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
The building is 138 m (452 ft) high (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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The building is 138 m (452 ft) high (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
The Guangzhou Circle Mansion (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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The Guangzhou Circle Mansion (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Despite its appearance, the building's design bears no relation whatsoever to tasty dough-based treats (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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Despite its appearance, the building's design bears no relation whatsoever to tasty dough-based treats (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
The circular hole measures 48 m (157 ft) in diameter (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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The circular hole measures 48 m (157 ft) in diameter (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
According to the architects, the design was inspired by the iconic value of jade discs in China and the numerological tradition of Feng Shu (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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According to the architects, the design was inspired by the iconic value of jade discs in China and the numerological tradition of Feng Shu (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Despite its appearance, the building's design bears no relation whatsoever to tasty dough-based treats (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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Despite its appearance, the building's design bears no relation whatsoever to tasty dough-based treats (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
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Architectural image of the building (Image: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
View gallery - 21 images

Italian architecture firm A.M. Progetti recently completed work on a circular-shaped skyscraper based in Guangzhou, China, dubbed the Guangzhou Circle Mansion. Despite its appearance, the building's design bears no relation whatsoever to tasty dough-based treats.

Guangzhou Circle Mansion has a total floor space of 85,000 sq m (914,000 sq ft), spread over 33 floors, and is 138 m (452 ft) high, with the circular hole measuring 48 m (157 ft) in diameter. The building currently serves as home to the Guangdong Plastic Exchange, and also hosts several exclusive office units, plus a hotel.

According to the architects, the unusual double-disc design was inspired by the iconic value of jade discs in China and the numerological tradition of Feng Shui. Gizmag's knowledge concerning the ancient Chinese philosophy of Feng Shui is rather lacking, so we're going to take that on faith.

Despite its appearance, the building's design bears no relation whatsoever to tasty dough-based treats (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)
Despite its appearance, the building's design bears no relation whatsoever to tasty dough-based treats (Photo: Joseph di Pasquale architect)

Additionally, when reflected in the nearby river, the building's shape also corresponds to the number 8, which is an admittedly very nice touch for this arguably gaudy project. The number 8 is considered especially lucky in Chinese culture, and A.M. Progetti correctly points out that the Beijing Olympics kicked off at exactly 8:08 am, on 8-8-2008, for that very reason.

It seems that not everyone's a fan though, as Sky News reports that locals refer to it as "the flashy rich people's circle."

Source: A.M. Progetti via Arch Daily

View gallery - 21 images
14 comments
14 comments
JimRD
Tape dispenser.
The Skud
Gizmag does not know about Feng Shui? Use the other "G' word - Google it! - Or, if you can still trust it, Wikki it.
GRich
Ok, I'll call it a washer.
Rt1583
This one looks so much better: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldar_headquarters_building

tvtchen
If you think this is a doughnut, or a washer, you probably don't realize that you may have been missing on some golden opportunities during your life :-) because this is actually the representation of a golden coin! In older times, coins used to have a hole at the center making easy to carry many strung together.
David55
very ugly, look like a giant trash.
Gary McMurray
looks like a subway token
BigGoofyGuy
Perhaps it is a giant Life Saver? (not sure on the flavor. :) ).
Perhaps it is a giant Chinese coin? They are round with a square hole in them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cash_(Chinese_coin)
Pehaps it is a giant non-moving ferris wheel? ;)
Mel Tisdale
Good job it wasn't built on a slope. A thing that size could roll for miles.
Steve Lane
Homer Simpson has put a bid on an apartment here.
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