International Design Center (GDAD): Winner of World Design Awards 2025. Located at the geographical center of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area within the Guangdong Nansha Free Trade Zone, the Nansha International Cruise Home Port spans a total floor area of 36,000 square meters. This landmark project fills a critical gap in Guangzhou’s cruise infrastructure, marking a new era for the city’s international cruise industry development.

Inspired by the design concept of “The Silk Road: A Whale Ship Setting Sail,” the port resembles a colossal vessel poised at the gateway of the Greater Bay Area. Its façade features a multi-dimensional curved ribbon design, drawing inspiration from silk to symbolize its role as a launching point for the New Maritime Silk Road. Positioned as a world-class coastal ecological transportation hub, the project integrates cruise tourism, cultural experiences, seamless multi-modal transportation connectivity, as well as cruise ship manufacturing and maintenance into a comprehensive industry chain.

The port functions in a diverse way, featuring integrated transportation, business offices, retail spaces, dining and entertainment venues, sightseeing areas, and an open and eco-friendly urban garden. It is set to become a pivotal hub along the Maritime Silk Road, heralding a new chapter of the maritime industry.

To facilitate efficient entry/exit control and enhance the passenger entry experience, the project team worked closely with cruise operators to fully accommodate the functions and demands of border inspection authorities. By implementing separate entry and exit routes, the design of the port will effectively address the challenges of managing passenger flow during peak boarding and disembarkation periods. This optimized design ensures smooth and efficient procedures for travelers while complying with all regulatory requirements.

Project Details:-
Firm
International Design Center (GDAD)

Architect
Chenghan Xu, Manying Hu, Tianhang Zou, Wentao Xu, Jiaqi Wu, Hongzhen He, Jun Wu, Zeping Xu

Project Name
Nansha International Cruise Home Port

Project Category
Architecture Design – Mixed-Use building (Built)

Team
Chenghan Xu, Manying Hu, Tianhang Zou, Wentao Xu, Jiaqi Wu, Hongzhen He, Jun Wu, Zeping Xu

Project Location
Guangzhou, China

Country
China

Photography ©Credit
International Design Center (GDAD)

IDC-International Design Center members are mainly creative architects and urban designers from China, France, UK, US, Spain, Australia, Korea and other countries.

Over the years, Our team have always been taking “Design with Heart, Create Chinese Architecture” as their mission, using international education background and vision,combining Chinese national conditions and local culture, designed a lot of vanguard fashion,high-tech and people-oriented projects with local cultural characteristics.