biomorphic tencent headquarters by MAD architects takes shape in shenzhen

mad architects shares construction updates from shenzhen

Internet and technology company Tencent is developing a massive new campus in Shenzhen, which will include a sculptural headquarters complex designed by MAD Architects. Spanning over eighty hectares with a total floor area of nearly two million square meters, the overall campus will be a benchmark for sustainable and accessible workspace design. MAD Architects’ design — dubbed Lot 04 East — reflects this goal and will incorporate features that aim to meet the highest standards for ecological responsibility and accessibility. The project will introduce two biomorphic office towers, three interconnected buildings, and a unique, raindrop-shaped building, the layout gradually transitioning from land to sea.

images courtesy MAD Architects

a ‘weightless’ design for tencent headquarters

The design team at MAD Architects elevates the ground floors of its Tencent Headquarters buildings, giving them a weightless appearance and promoting a sense of movement. The use of transparent, ultra-high frameless glass at the base creates a visual harmony between indoor and outdoor spaces. This design encourages social interaction, preserves scenic views, and integrates the ground level with the surrounding environment to creating open areas for public use.

These elevated ground floors seem to grow fluidly from the surrounding streetscape, creating inviting public spaces. Protected areas facing the sea offer ideal locations for outdoor events and gatherings. The strategic placement of materials and shading elements contributes significantly to the site’s environmental health and user comfort. Steel truss sky bridges connect the buildings, creating communal spaces that encourage interaction and employee wellbeing, with stunning sea views and areas for relaxation and discussion.

MAD Architects unveils design for Tencent’s new headquarters in Shenzhen

the fluid, cylindrical architecture

The southernmost building of the Tencent Headquarters is designed by MAD Architects to foster collaboration and dialogue. It will accommodate a diverse program of events, including product launches, conferences, and collaborative activities. The building’s main event space features a two-story, cylindrical design with frameless glass, offering panoramic views of the surrounding cityscape and natural landscape beyond.

The central and northern buildings are dedicated to office space, each featuring unique open-plan atriums. The central building includes a fully open atrium connected to a sunken garden, serving as a public space and forming a circular facade. The northern building’s atrium is topped with a semi-open, shell-shaped ETFE skylight. These varied atrium designs lend a varied spatial experience and contribute to natural light penetration, ventilation, and energy efficiency.

sustainable tech campus planned for east of Da Chan Bay Island

Below the three interconnected buildings, the design elevates the park ground, creating lush garden spaces and plazas. This layout separates pedestrian areas from roadways without disrupting traffic flow. It also ensures smooth connectivity between green spaces, office buildings, and surrounding transit-oriented developments, forming a diverse, integrated urban complex with multi-level spaces for the community. Drawing on MAD Architects’ expertise in tackling complex design challenges and their future-focused approach, Tencent’s Shenzhen headquarters hopes to create a vibrant and collaborative campus environment. Tencent Shenzhen Headquarter Lot 04 East is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by 2025.

the biomorphic design features office towers and cylindrical buildings

transparent ground floors create open, inviting public spaces

the central and northern buildings feature unique atrium designs for office space

the northern building’s atrium is topped with a semi-open, shell-shaped ETFE skylight

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structure diagram

ventilation diagram

location diagram

project info:

project title: Tencent Shenzhen Headquarters Project Lot 04 East

architecture: MAD architects | @madarchitects

location: Shenzhen, China

site area: approximately 72,000 square meters

building area: approximately 412,000 square meters

completion: expected 2025

photography: © MAD Architects

principal partners in charge: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke Hayano

associate partner in charge: Kin Li, Xu Chen

competition team: Antoine Muller, Wang Shuobin, Ma Yiran, Yin Jianfeng, Claudia Hertrich, Jose Maria Urbiola, Reinier Simons, Fu Xiaoyi, Zhu Yuhao, Alan Rodríguez Carrillo, Zhou Haimeng, Li Hui

design team: Liu Hailun, Fu Xiaoyi, Zeng Hantao, Sun Yingna, Liu Zifan, Song Minzhe, Zhao Guijia, Jose Maria Urbiola, Tan Miao, Rozita Kashirtseva, Li Jiaqi, Antoine Muller, Alan Rodríguez Carrillo, Yu Lin, Feng Xuhui, Zhang Kai, Wu Qiaoling, Yang Wenzhi, Chen Hongbin, Hou Jinghui, Sun Feifei, Wang Ruipeng, Yoshio Fukumori, Li Lingfeng, Yin Jianfeng, Zhou Qinyuan, Cheng Xiangju, Du Jie, Na Kyung Eun

client: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.

executive architect: Shenzhen General Institute of Architectural Design And Research Co., Ltd.

contractor: China Construction 4th Engineering Bureau 6th Corp., Limited

project management: Arcadis Shanghai Limited

structural consultant: Meinhardt (Shenzhen) Ltd.

curtain wall consultant: SuP Ingenieure GmbH, Shenzhen Fangda Building Technology Group Co., Ltd., China Construction Buer Curtain Wall & Decoration Co., Ltd.

interior design: MAD Architects, Woods Bagot Architectural Design Consultants (Beijing) Co Ltd., Shenzhen Jiang & Associates Creative Design, China Academy of Building Research

Lighting Consultant: Lighting Planners Associates Inc. & Lighting Planners Associates (S) Pte. Ltd., China Academy of Urban Planning and Design (CAUPD)

landscape consultant: SWA Group, Shenzhen Hope Design Co., Ltd.

signage consultant: Brand U Creative Studio Shanghai Co.

transportation consultant: T. Y. Lin International Engineering Consulting (China) Co. Ltd.

acoustic consultant: GRANDY Engineering Consultants (Shanghai) Ltd.

commercial consultant: Shenzhen Champion Retail Operation Management Co., Ltd.

MEP consultant: WSP Engineering Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Green Building Consultant: AtkinsRéalis

LID consultant: Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co., Ltd.

BIM consultant: Shenzhen Jiarui Construction Information Technology Co., Ltd.