Mecanoo triumph in competition to design Shenzhen's latest colossal mixed-use district
POSTED 05 Sep 2017 . BY Kim Megson
'Rather than define the exact shape of the towers, the design establishes rules which ensure coherency yet encourage a degree of variation,”' said Mecanoo
Credit: Mecanoo
Dutch architecture studio Mecanoo have been named the winners of an urban design competition to totally transform a business district in Shenzhen, China.
Twelve staggered skyscrapers, an elevated pedestrian network and a vast green urban park form the key elements of the 1.36 million sq m (14 million sq ft) development Mecanoo will now design for the area around Shenzhen North railway and metro station.
Mecanoo’s proposal – featuring retail spaces, leisure facilities, apartments, offices and a hotel – aims to create a strong identity for the neighbourhood by having the pedestrian walkway connect the 12 dramatic towers, creating “a comfortable small-scale atmosphere.”
“Rather than define the exact shape of the towers, the design establishes rules which ensure coherency yet encourage a degree of variation,” said Mecanoo in a design statement.
“A smart facade system of glazed, angled elements offers diversity to support the different programmes and respond to the orientation while ensuring the overall appearance. Setbacks allow for the creation of roof gardens, which – together with interior sky gardens at some of the higher levels – integrate the urban park design into the buildings.”
The buildings will be set around a central urban park and vary in height between 278 and 428 metres (912 and 1,400 feet). Transportation networks will be at a subterranean level, allowing the park above to appear as a completely open green space where people can escape the heat and humidity to socialise and engage in leisure activities – something the area currently lacks.
A two-level plinth will connect the towers, the walkway and the park with the urban setting via an intricate network of overpasses, ramps and landscaped platforms; offering safe and comfortable access routes to the stations.
The development is the latest high-profile project penciled for Shenzhen. Last month, architecture practice Atelier Global won a design competition for Shenzhen Book City – a huge mixed-use district in the metropolis. Several similarly large-scale cultural spaces are also in the pipeline.
Twelve staggered skyscrapers, an elevated pedestrian network and a vast green urban park form the key elements of the 1.36 million sq m development Credit: Mecanoo
Mecanoo’s proposal – featuring retail spaces, leisure facilities, apartments, offices and a hotel – aims to create a strong identity for the neighbourhood Credit: Mecanoo
The buildings will be set around a central urban park and vary in height between 278 and 428 metres Credit: Mecanoo
A two-level plinth will connect the towers, the walkway and the park with the urban setting Credit: Mecanoo
New video tracks Fumihiko Maki's Shenzhen design and arts complex take shape POSTED 20 Dec 2016. BY Kim Megson New video footage has been released showing construction underway on the Sea World
Culture and Arts Centre in Shenzhen, China, which has been designed by Pritzker-winning
architect Fumihiko Maki.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
Mecanoo triumph in competition to design Shenzhen's latest colossal mixed-use district
POSTED 05 Sep 2017 . BY Kim Megson
'Rather than define the exact shape of the towers, the design establishes rules which ensure coherency yet encourage a degree of variation,”' said Mecanoo
Credit: Mecanoo
Dutch architecture studio Mecanoo have been named the winners of an urban design competition to totally transform a business district in Shenzhen, China.
Twelve staggered skyscrapers, an elevated pedestrian network and a vast green urban park form the key elements of the 1.36 million sq m (14 million sq ft) development Mecanoo will now design for the area around Shenzhen North railway and metro station.
Mecanoo’s proposal – featuring retail spaces, leisure facilities, apartments, offices and a hotel – aims to create a strong identity for the neighbourhood by having the pedestrian walkway connect the 12 dramatic towers, creating “a comfortable small-scale atmosphere.”
“Rather than define the exact shape of the towers, the design establishes rules which ensure coherency yet encourage a degree of variation,” said Mecanoo in a design statement.
“A smart facade system of glazed, angled elements offers diversity to support the different programmes and respond to the orientation while ensuring the overall appearance. Setbacks allow for the creation of roof gardens, which – together with interior sky gardens at some of the higher levels – integrate the urban park design into the buildings.”
The buildings will be set around a central urban park and vary in height between 278 and 428 metres (912 and 1,400 feet). Transportation networks will be at a subterranean level, allowing the park above to appear as a completely open green space where people can escape the heat and humidity to socialise and engage in leisure activities – something the area currently lacks.
A two-level plinth will connect the towers, the walkway and the park with the urban setting via an intricate network of overpasses, ramps and landscaped platforms; offering safe and comfortable access routes to the stations.
The development is the latest high-profile project penciled for Shenzhen. Last month, architecture practice Atelier Global won a design competition for Shenzhen Book City – a huge mixed-use district in the metropolis. Several similarly large-scale cultural spaces are also in the pipeline.
Twelve staggered skyscrapers, an elevated pedestrian network and a vast green urban park form the key elements of the 1.36 million sq m development Credit: Mecanoo
Mecanoo’s proposal – featuring retail spaces, leisure facilities, apartments, offices and a hotel – aims to create a strong identity for the neighbourhood Credit: Mecanoo
The buildings will be set around a central urban park and vary in height between 278 and 428 metres Credit: Mecanoo
A two-level plinth will connect the towers, the walkway and the park with the urban setting Credit: Mecanoo
New video tracks Fumihiko Maki's Shenzhen design and arts complex take shape POSTED 20 Dec 2016. BY Kim Megson New video footage has been released showing construction underway on the Sea World
Culture and Arts Centre in Shenzhen, China, which has been designed by Pritzker-winning
architect Fumihiko Maki.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
