# SOM’s Sany IROOTECH Headquarters Features Suspended Floors and Steel Exoskeleton Guangzhou headquarters utilizes a diamond-patterned exoskeleton to create column-free, adaptable interior spaces. - **Source:** [Yanko Design](https://brifing.si/source/41d28791-ef47-4e0b-a40a-2a5efca0c11b) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/88145188-a05c-4573-a5b4-2363758b9635 ## Structural Innovation in Guangzhou The Sany IROOTECH headquarters in Guangzhou’s Pazhou district features two towers connected by an elevated podium. Designed by Skidmore, Owings Merrill, the complex utilizes a diamond-patterned steel exoskeleton. This external framework supports suspended floors, allowing for column-free interior spaces that accommodate diverse programmatic needs beyond the original corporate headquarters brief. ## Exoskeleton as Functional Design The building's exoskeleton is not merely aesthetic; it serves as the primary load-bearing system. By moving the supporting structure to the perimeter, the design achieves greater planning flexibility. The towers are organized into five-story modules, with floors hung from ring beams, enabling the building to adapt to office, hotel, or residential uses. ## Adaptability During Development The structural design proved its value when the client altered the project program during construction. The inclusion of hotel and residential units required interior reconfigurations that the column-free floor plates easily facilitated. This inherent adaptability ensures the architecture remains consistent and functional even as the internal usage requirements evolve over time. ## Climate-Responsive Architectural Features The inward-leaning curtain walls serve a dual purpose by creating terraces at the base of each five-level module. These terraces provide outdoor access while simultaneously reducing direct solar exposure for the interior spaces. This rhythmic design choice integrates the building's construction logic directly into its exterior appearance, avoiding purely decorative patterns. ## Seismic and Typhoon Engineering Guangzhou’s environmental conditions necessitated robust engineering solutions against typhoons and seismic activity. SOM integrated a patented pin-fuse joint system designed to dissipate earthquake energy through controlled movement and friction. The primary design goal is to ensure rapid reoccupancy of the facility following extreme weather events or significant seismic disturbances. ## Civic Integration via Podium The podium structure extends the project’s ambition horizontally, featuring multistory trusses that span 65 meters between the two towers. This creates a shaded public plaza beneath the complex. A courtyard opening and dimpled aluminum panels on the underside reflect natural light, making the space inviting for pedestrians and visitors alike. ## Connecting to Urban Infrastructure A public elevator operating 24/7 connects the podium to the district’s existing covered walkway network. This integration transforms the headquarters into a functional part of the pedestrian route through Pazhou. By providing dining, retail, and exhibition spaces, the project encourages public usage beyond the typical corporate work or meeting attendance. ## Redefining Corporate Landmark Identity The Sany IROOTECH headquarters successfully balances its imposing landmark status with a lifted base that fosters everyday civic connection. By prioritizing structural legibility and public accessibility, the project demonstrates how corporate infrastructure can contribute to the urban fabric. The result is a highly adaptable, resilient complex that serves both employees and citizens. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.yankodesign.com/2026/11/03/soms-sany-irootech-headquarters-hangs-its-floors-from-a-giant-steel-exoskeleton/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=soms-sany-irootech-headquarters-hangs-its-floors-from-a-giant-steel-exoskeleton — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._