A case study on the Sky Garden Terrace at Haihao International Tower
By Peiwen Yu
In an era where urbanization often disconnects people from nature, biophilic design has emerged as a transformative approach to architecture and landscape design. By integrating natural elements into built environments, biophilic design enhances well-being, reduces stress, and fosters a deeper connection to the outdoors. It is rooted in the idea that humans have an innate affinity for nature. Key principles include:
- Direct Nature Integration– Incorporating plants, water, and natural materials.
- Natural Light and Ventilation– Maximizing daylight and fresh air.
- Sensory Variability– Engaging sight, sound, and touch through natural elements.
- Prospect and Refuge– Creating spaces that offer both openness and shelter.
- Ecological Connection– Using native plants and sustainable systems.
The Haihao Tower is located in Guangzhou’s new CBD, Pazhou – the digital economy hub (image source: Huafa Group)
As dense megacities worldwide embrace rooftop gardens as urban oases, their sky-high retreats soften the edges of concrete jungles, proving that even the most vertical cities can integrate nature when policies, design, and demand align. Manhattan and Guangzhou, for example, reflect distinct paths toward urban sustainability. Manhattan, with its policy-driven approach, has achieved roughly 25% green roof coverage in key areas through tax incentives and environmental mandates, creating a patchwork of lush rooftop gardens and practical container plantings that residents cherish for their cooling effects and moments of respite. Meanwhile, Guangzhou—where just 0.5% of rooftops are green—is undergoing a quiet revolution. Luxury developments like the Sky Garden Terrace at Haihao International Tower redefine urban living by seamlessly integrating nature with cutting-edge technology. This shift reflects changing buyer expectations: no longer satisfied with sleek finishes alone, they now demand immersive natural experiences woven into every detail.
Haihao Tower is located in Pazhou West CBD, a well-planned Guangzhou business hub designed as a pedestrian-friendly, subtropical urban space with Lingnan cultural influences. This cutting-edge district hosts China’s top tech giants like Douyin (TikTok), WeChat, and Alibaba. With world-class infrastructure planning, it represents Guangzhou’s ambition to create a globally competitive, culturally distinctive business center where innovation meets traditional charm. The Tower development strategically leverages its prime location near public transit and the urban greenway trail system to establish a vibrant, interconnected destination.
Perched high above the city, the Haihao Tower Sky Garden offers more than just breathtaking CBD views—it creates a living ecosystem in the sky, blending biophilic design with modern urban living. Built at $1400 per square meter, the landscape space elevates urban luxury with lush greenery, artful water features, and sensory-rich landscapes, proving that sustainability and sophistication can coexist.
The Haihao Tower ground level entry landscape features a signature crescent-shaped water feature, serving as public art, and a comfortable social space for leisure and relaxation
(Photo credit: DO Studio)
A Sanctuary in the Sky
Nestled within a 12-meter-wide outdoor enclosure framed by sleek architectural glass walls, the Sky Garden Terrace on the 22nd floor offers a lush escape high above the urban hustle. Flanking the residential lobby, tea room, and gym, this elevated garden creates a fluid transition between indoor comfort and outdoor activities.
Sky Garden Transforms 12-Meter Wide Rooftop into Luxury Amenity Oasis (photo credit: ChillShine)
Originally, the space was an underutilized rooftop, dwarfed by the imposing scale of the surrounding façade and stark structural columns. The owner was concerned about its cold, unwelcoming form and asked the SWA design team to reimagine this space through a series of innovative landscape alternatives. Finally, the garden scheme transformed this overlooked area into an immersive natural retreat, turning architectural constraints into a dynamic amenity.
The Sky Garden Terrace artfully balances lush greenery with versatile social spaces, creating a layered experience for residents. On the eastern edge, adjacent to the gym, a sleek bar and inviting seating area form an intimate plaza for casual gatherings, enveloped by groundcover and tree plantings that provide a serene green backdrop.
To the west, an elevated garden bar is strategically positioned to capture dramatic views of the Canton Tower, anchoring the space to Guangzhou’s iconic skyline.
At its heart, the terrace reveals its most captivating feature: a gracefully curved stone reflection pool with cascading water. This fluid centerpiece not only enhances the sensory experience with its gentle movement and sound but also creates a visual dialogue with the ocean-inspired paving and water features below, tying together the building’s landscape narrative. Whether for vibrant social interactions or peaceful solitude, the terrace masterfully weaves together nature, architecture, and urban vistas into a cohesive outdoor room above the city.
Ocean-inspired paving and water features establish a fluid, organic aesthetic at ground level—echoing the Sky Garden’s flowy water feature (photo credit: ChillShine)
Luxury Meets Sustainability: Building Innovation Sets the Tone
Beyond aesthetics, the Haihao Tower architecture is a model of regenerative design and resource efficiency, has achieved LEED Gold certification, and is also certified as a Three-Star Green Building (Public Building) under the Guangdong Province Green Building Standards. Main features of architectural design include:
- Rainwater Harvesting: Beneath the lush northwest corner of the garden lies a rainwater retention system, collecting runoff from the tower’s roofs and grounds. This water is then used for landscape irrigation, supported by an automated sprinkler system to minimize waste.
- Smart Water Reuse: Inside the tower, condensate from air conditioning systems is captured and repurposed for toilet flushing, reducing freshwater demand.
- Solar-Powered Efficiency: On the fifth-floor podium, solar thermal panels supplement the building’s hot water supply, cutting energy use while maintaining comfort.
These systems cut operational costs by ~25%, proving sustainability enhances value.
On top of the savings, these features future-proof the property, making it a standout in Guangzhou’s competitive market.
Planting Design That Breathes Life Into the Skyline
In a city of concrete and steel, the Sky Garden Terrace offers an escape. The terrace’s planting scheme has well considered biodiversity and seasonal changes, featuring:
- Phoenix Trees (Delonix regia)as iconic focal points—their flame-red blossoms (May-August) attract nectar-loving birds and insects, transforming the terrace into a dynamic urban wildlife habitat.
- Layered Cloud-Inspired Landscaping:
- Sculptural Podocarpus leaning over water features, evoking classical Chinese garden artistry.
- Iron Hollywith its glossy leaves and red berries, adding year-round structure.
- Multi-Season Flower Beds:
- Tall accents: Bird of Paradise, Feijoa, and silvery Acacia.
- Blooming stars: Bethlehem Star, Snake Lily, Hydrangeas, and Wild Peony, ensuring continuous blooms to sustain bees and butterflies.
- Drought-tolerant highlights: Yucca, Agave, and cascading Creeping Juniper for textural contrast
The planting design cultivates a thriving ecosystem while creating immersive seasonal encounters, transforming the space into both a living habitat and an open-air classroom where users get to know nature’s story. Haihao Tower landscape construction at various floors utilized 50+ plant species, with 90% native to Guangzhou, ensuring resilience and low maintenance.
Sensory Appeal: A Retreat Above the City as Market Differentiation
Beyond its beauty, the Sky Garden Terrace is designed to engage the senses, creating an unforgettable experience. Such a tiny space positively impacts the buyer’s impression, differentiating from the typical hardscape-only terrace with potted plants. By engaging sight, scent, and sound through curated planting and water features, the terrace garden resonates deeply with buyers and justifies premium pricing for those seeking sanctuary above the urban bustle.
- Panoramic Views: Unobstructed sightlines to the Canton Tower and Pearl River elevate the space into a “viewing platform,” a rarity in dense urban areas.
- Cooler Microclimates: The terrace’s greenery reduces ambient temperatures by 6°F, lessening reliance on energy-intensive cooling.
- Self-Sustaining Landscapes: Native plants and automated irrigation ensure lush greenery without excessive water use.
- Quiet, Clean Air :The dense foliage and water features act as a natural sound barrier, dampen urban noise, while improved air quality adds to the wellness appeal.
- Wildlife Ballet: Birds and butterflies drawn to Phoenix Trees and flower beds create a living spectacle.
- Inviting Lounge Areas with abundant shaded seating encourage relaxation and social connection, blending comfort with biophilic design.
- Lighting Design prioritizes human-centric principles by utilizing warm, adjustable LED lighting to enhance comfort, reduce glare, and support circadian rhythms, creating a safe and inviting nighttime environment
For apartment residents, tea room users, and gym users, such an outdoor space adds a wellness-forward experience for fitness, relaxation, and social gathering. While the sales of luxury apartments are still underway, initial market responses show a positive effect that premium pricing is justified by wellness and sustainability.
The Future of Urban Living Is Alive
The Haihao International Tower’s Sky Garden Terrace is a testament to the power of biophilic design in urban settings. By weaving nature into high-rise living, it creates a resilient, sustainable, and deeply human-centered space. As cities continue to grow, projects like this demonstrate that architecture and nature need not be separate—they can thrive together, enhancing both the environment and our quality of life. Would you invest in a home where nature writes the skyline?
Project Credit:
Client: Huafa Group Guangzhou, Haida Group
Architect: Aedas
Landscape Architect: SWA Group
Landscape Architect of Record: METROSTUDIO
Photography: Chill Shine Studio & DO Studio
Graphics courtesy of SWA Group and Aedas