Iconic complex taking shape in China's Greater Bay Area

After more than a decade of construction and an investment of nearly 5 billion yuan ($684 million), the building has taken its place within Hengqin Island. Part of Zhuhai, the island is separated from Macao by a strip of water and shares a geographical and cultural bond with its neighbor, having been jointly administered by Macao and Guangdong province since 2021.

The complex houses a conference center, exhibition spaces, science and innovation centers, offices, hotels, and commercial facilities.

Previous proposals for the site included sail-shaped structures, circular towers, and oval designs but all had been rejected for lacking a unique local identity. Fu was determined to construct something that would be unique to the city.

He found inspiration in the city's name, which literally translates to horizontal string instrument and his design conceptualized the building as a horizontal traditional Chinese stringed instrument reflected in the river's surface, creating an image where half the instrument appears real and half appears as a reflection in the Tianmu River.

"This building could only belong to Hengqin, it could not be built in other places like Beijing or Shanghai," explained Fu, who was awarded Shanghai's prestigious Magnolia Silver Award for his contribution to that city as an expatriate.

The structure's design, wider at the base and narrower at the top, adheres to mechanical principles while optimizing construction costs and aesthetic appeal.

"It embodies Hengqin's urban spirit, aligning with principles of mechanics, cost-effectiveness, and local aesthetics," Fu said.