Series of nine projects to enhance Guiyang's rapid economic growth and reputation for sustainability.
ARCADIS (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the world's leading natural and built asset design and consultancy firm, today announced that its global architecture and design practice, RTKL, has signed a series of contracts with the Zhongtian Group, one of China's top privately held corporations. The commissions cover nine projects and total more than US $25 million. RTKL will provide architecture, interior design and strategic branding for the projects, which will all be built in Guiyang, the commercial hub of Guizhou Province. The contracts will run for one to two years.

The multiple, intricate building programs include a culture center, a mixed-use theater, a three-parcel financial center, and a four-parcel tourism magnet dubbed the Guiyang Future Ark, all of which will help give Guiyang a striking skyline and enrich the community. The Future Ark alone covers more than 7 million square meters and has been designated as one of the first of eight ecological districts in China. Encompassing luxury residential, green technology, commercial office and a hot springs resort, the Future Ark represents a new beginning for Guiyang.

"It is a tremendous honor to work with the Zhongtian Group and to have the opportunity to positively impact Guiyang economically, ecologically and aesthetically," said RTKL Vice President May Wei.

"These projects will put their mark on the city through RTKL's signature approach of designing to a historical, cultural and geographic context," added Greg Yager, RTKL senior vice president.

"RTKL is celebrating a decade of working in China this year with offices located in Beijing and Shanghai. Our work has transformed neighborhoods in cities across China, most notably with City Crossing in Shenzhen, the MixC in Shenyang and Life Hub @ Daning," said Norm Garden, Executive Vice President and Global Practice Leader Commercial for RTKL.