Confidential Senior Living Community
Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China

Reimagining an Historic Site into a Dynamic Senior Community

This confidential Guangzhou project transforms an historic heritage site into a uniquely integrated senior living community that adapts to the needs of China’s fast-growing aging population.
Guangzhou Senior Living Community aerial rendering
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Adaptive Reuse of Historical Heritage Sites
  • Glass Brick Roof
  • 85% Existing Structure Preservation
  • 35% MEP System Preservation
  • Multifunctional Community Event Spaces
Challenge

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.

Solution

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.

Impact

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.

Guangzhou Senior Living Community lobby with light, airy feel
Guangzhou senior living community room
Guangzhou Senior Living Community cafe
Guangzhou senior living community kitchen
Guangzhou senior living community fitness room
Guangzhou senior living community outdoor walkway
Guangzhou senior living community exterior with views of water
Guangzhou senior living community exterior at night
Guangzhou senior living community aerial rendering in the evening
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