mecanoo’s proposal for a cultural complex in shenzhen features a dramatic internal void
access to the building has been combined with the entrance to a nearby metro station, resulting in an inviting and welcoming public space.
dutch studio mecanoo has revealed its competition entry for a major cultural complex in shenzhen, china — a proposal which came third in the contest out of 69 entries. surrounded by residential towers and infrastructure, the site for the ‘bao’an public culture and art center’ presented several challenges. the design team’s response was to take inspiration from the nearby metro station, which also manages large flows of people.
all images courtesy of mecanoo
mecanoo’s scheme seeks to attract visitors in an attempt to ‘reinvent the inwardly focused identity’ of the region’s cultural facilities. access to the museum has been combined with the entrance to the station, resulting in an inviting and welcoming public space. ‘combining the museum entrance with the entrance of the metro station generates an inviting and open urban node with a powerful capacity to diffuse art throughout the community,’ say the architects.
the building takes the form of an elevated cube
externally, the building takes the shape of a cube, which has been elevated to create a public square and sculpture garden. meanwhile, a stepped landscape complete with sports fields connects the complex to a nearby school. internally, different functions are organized around a central void which doubles as an exhibition space for large art installations. openings in the volume allow for balconies that offer views across the city.
internal functions are organized around a central void
the void doubles as an exhibition space for large art installations
openings in the volume allow for balconies that offer views across the city
the design takes inspiration from the nearby metro station
programmatic diagram
project info:
size: 84,120 sqm
status: design
project design: 2016
address: xinhu road and chuangye road, bao’an district, shenzhen, china
client: urban planning, land & resources commission of shenzhen municipality, bao’an administration
program: culture and art center (49,830 sqm above ground, 34,290 sqm underground), including 21,015 sqm museum, 16,070 sqm art gallery, 17,450 sqm gallery, 3,170 sqm sports field, and 23,490 sqm service area with auditorium, restaurant, art bookstore, meeting room and underground parking
typology: museum & exhibition
status:
international competition, 3rd place out of 69 entries
shop
your own online design shop — no sales commission collected
