Shenzhen Bay Culture Square Resembles Round Stones on Coastline

China-based architectural studio MAD has completed construction of the Shenzhen Bay Culture Square, which resembles smooth weathered stones scattered along the coastline. The sculptural complex functions as a world-class design museum and a public park, which took eight hours to finish. Located in Houhai, Shenzhen, China, the design museum is flanked by tall skyscrapers on one side and talent parks on the other.

The Shenzhen Bay Culture Square is one of the city’s Ten Major Cultural Facilities in the New Era project designed by MAD architectural studio and led by architects Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, and Yosuke Hayano. The purpose of the project was to balance out the dense, high-tech commercial nature of Shenzhen with a dedicated public space for leisure, art, and culture.

This cultural landmark serves as a platform for global exchange in design and culture, as well as a public space. The massive space inside the granite-clad complex with a floor area of 188,000 square meters includes exhibition galleries, education spaces, a design library, and a multifunctional theater. The east side of the complex features sunken roads, which free the whole ground for pedestrians. They can enter from any direction and climb the curved green roofs through a network of pathways.

These uniquely curved green roofs mimic the silhouette of grassy hills, allowing the structure to blend with the parkland. These gently sloped roofs turn into a park where citizens can cycle, walk freely, or climb the building easily. The green space provides city residents a coastal sanctuary to rest and connect with nature. This also makes an excellent spot for photographers to capture the ancient ocean and breathtaking landscape.

The west side of the building faces the main street and high-rise office towers. The northern and southern halls have two open-air bay passages with illuminated display windows. These lit passages remain open 24 hours a day, so residents who work night shifts can admire the art through these glowing display windows. The pedestrian bridge on the green roof offers direct connection to the surrounding office towers, freeing residents from crossing through busy streets at night.

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Shenzhen Bay also happens to be a major stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, where thousands of migratory birds come to rest and feed in the mangroves. To create an obstruction-free path for migratory birds to fly safely, the architects gave it a low-rise form. Another reason behind this deliberate low-profile design was to conceal the high-end exhibition galleries, theaters, and libraries to preserve the city’s waterfront views.

The Shenzhen Bay Culture Square is a uniquely designed complex that offers residents a respite from fast and busy city life. The residents can finally catch their breath and recharge their batteries by admiring the exhibitions and galleries, and hanging out on the nature-filled green roof. The multiple pathways and footbridges merged into a curved, low-rise silhouette seamlessly connect the urban fabric of the busy city with the quaint coastline.