As China’s 60-plus population is projected to reach 400 million by 2040, its senior living infrastructure is adapting to meet new demand. Initial senior living developments, often remote and isolated, don’t resonate with Chinese cultural values that emphasize family proximity. For aging seniors in the Guangzhou market, Gensler aimed to integrate — rather than relocate — seniors into existing structures, creating an “urban infill” approach that creates physical closeness and cultural alignment.

Gensler’s innovative approach maintains the historical integrity of the existing structure, preserving the original brick wall of the cylinder while introducing additional supports for a new glazed roof. This transparent material reinterprets the structure and pays homage to historical designers and craftsmen, who envisioned glass bricks for oil tank construction.

The Guangzhou Senior Living project exemplifies sustainability and resilience through its thoughtful approach to repositioning and heritage preservation. By retaining the existing towers of the site and preserving historical elements such as the oil tanks and a warehouse, the project minimizes demolition and reduces its environmental impact. At its core, the project serves a meaningful purpose: to provide a nurturing, elevated living environment for seniors, while preserving the cultural heritage of the site.