Munich, Berlin and Beijing-based architecture studio HENN has completed an X-shaped innovation center for High-Performance Medical Devices (IHM·GBA) in Guangzhou, China.

Named Innovation Center for High-Performance Medical Devices, the 59,000-square-metre building is located in the heart of Guangzhou’s thriving international Bio Island, a dedicated zone for the development of biomedical research and technology.

Exterior

HENN released its conceptual renderings in 2020, when construction began, and completed the vertical complex in 2022, one year before the scheduled date.

The building provides spaces to develop high-performance medical devices, combining laboratories and spaces for research with areas for informal communication and open office spaces.

Exterior

To provide an optimal use in each floor, the design weaves these programs together in an X-shaped floor plan. Each bar of the “X” is devoted to either laboratory or workspaces, while the intersections function as communal spaces. 

While the column grid is denser in lab areas, wings are left more open dedicated to office spaces.

Entrance

"The shape of the floor plan allows for light to reach into the heart of the building, with lush vistas in multiple directions from every wing," said HENN.

The studio designed corners on the inside of the X in a curved geometry rather than creating the sharp outer edges, and according to the team, this adds to the quality of the views and creating a dynamic composition of lines along the facade.

Entrance

From the outer appearance, the innovation center is made up of three floating volumes separated by multi-storey, open-air terraces that function as sky gardens. These double-height spaces create a playful rhythm of shifting volumes.

Façade

Public functions, including a lobby, exhibition hall, a show lab and café are arranged in the lower volume, while the middle volume above houses laboratories, meeting rooms, multipurpose rooms. Office are placed on the top floor.

Terrace

HENN stated that "the innovation center represents a new typology in high-density vertical architecture, combining experimentation and research spaces with collaborative work environments." 

The building functions as a scaffolding for innovation that boosts progress in the development of high- performance medical devices.

Terrace

Interior

Interior

Interior

Interior

Interior

Aerial view

Diagram Design strategy

Ground floor plan

First floor plan

Axonometric diagram program

HENN recently completed the new Baramundi Headquarters in Augsburg. The firm designed interiors of Ritz-Carlton Aura Restaurant in Germany.

Project facts

Project name: Innovation Center for High-Performance Medical Devices

Architects: HENN

Location: Xing Han Str., Luo Xuan 1 Rd., Guangzhou

Project start: 2019

Construction start: 2020

Completion: 2022

Client: Chuang Jing Med.

Size: 59,000 m2

Local planning partner: GZDI

Consultants: Hezhan Design (Landscape design), SuP (Façade), RDI (Lighting)

Team

Partner in charge: Georg Pichler

Project director: Hua Qiao

Design director: Leander Adrian

Top image: Exterior.

All images © Tian Fangfang.

All drawings © HENN.

> via HENN

HENN innovation center project