K11 ECOAST in shenzhen to be designed by david chipperfield, sou fujimoto, OMA

the retail-culture complex k11 ecoast

K11 ECOAST, a massive commercial complex worth nearly $1.5 billion USD, will soon take shape along the coast of Shenzhen. The ambitious retail and cultural space in China will be designed by a team including OMA, David Chipperfield Architects, and Sou Fujimoto. Covering a footprint of 228,500 square meters (over 2.4 million square feet), the project will introduce an ‘Art Mall,’ a multi-purpose art space, the K11 ATELIER office building, and a landscaped waterfront Promenade.

The team claims that the design will ‘combine the concept of green development alongside the conservation of waterfront resources.’ With this environmentally conscious spirit, the group hopes to promote a lifestyle that’s sustainable and circular, while integrating ‘the concept of environmental protection.‘ The harbor-front destination is expected to open in 2024.

images courtesy K11 Group

enriching the art scene of shenzhen

K11 ECOAST is planned to integrate art, business, and the people of Shenzhen. The space is organized with a split-level entryway leading to programming including 270° sea view restaurants and immersive, multi-sensory art spaces.

The HACC Art Space will showcase a collection of contemporary works from around the world, and will provide young Chinese artists with a spotlight platform. Meanwhile, the Art Mall will invite visitors to explore artworks that have been contributed by foreign artists for Shenzhen including pieces by two female sculptors — Phyllida Barlow from the UK and Monika Sosnowska from Poland.

The design by OMA, David Chipperfield Architects, and Sou Fujimoto is itself a culturally significant addition to the city. The team at K11 Group comments: ‘The three architectural masters delve into the elaborate balance between architecture and nature, skillfully harmonizing the architectural design with the coastal landscape, birthing a new hot spot and destination for creative culture and eco-friendly life in the Greater Bay Area.‘

a ‘zero-waste’ development

Once completed, the K11 ECOAST will mark the largest total LEED Platinum Pre-Certified cluster of buildings in Shenzhen’s Greater Bay Area. The complex was designed and will be constructed in accordance with China’s 14th Five-Year Plan national guidelines on environmental protection and sustainable development for the circular economy.

The group claims that the project echoes the ‘Zero-Waste City’ building pilot program undertaken in Shenzhen, ‘integrating circular economy principles into its design and operations, remarkably reducing waste, and ensuring environmental protection in architectural design, food, fashion, and education.’ With these strategies, the team notes a significant reduction in waste ‘to ensure better environmental protection and a greener, safer, more enjoyable retail experience for visitors.’

the sustainable sponge-city

To optimize sustainable stormwater management, the team embraces the ‘Sponge City’ concept to alleviate pressure on the Shenzhen’s existing drainage system. The group explains: ‘Featuring 60,000 square meters of outdoor landscaping, the largest among all K11 projects, K11 ECOAST fully incorporates green and healthy building concepts into its design using renewable energy, recyclable materials, and hospital-grade air filtering systems.

‘K11 ECOAST consists of three WELL pre-certified and LEED Platinum pre-certified buildings at the highest certification level, making it the largest total LEED Platinum pre-certified cluster of buildings in the Greater Bay Area.’