NBBJ masterplans enormous 'net city' in shenzhen for internet company tencent

tencent — one of the largest internet companies in china and the owner of messaging app WeChat — has unveiled a masterplan for a new district in shenzhen that is roughly the size and shape of midtown manhattan. measuring two million square meters, almost 500 acres, the ambitious project has been designed by NBBJ, the global firm who completed tencent’s global headquarters in 2018. titled ‘net city’, the development will be among china’s first interconnected districts with office buildings, residential areas, public entertainment venues, parks, and a waterfront.

all images courtesy of NBBJ

to create a human-scale feel, organic experiences, and sightlines to nature and water, NBBJ designed terraced buildings of different scales and heights that span one to 30 stories, interspersed across a series of green pathways. a full range of working and living environments — including next generation offices, living spaces, schools, retail, and other amenities — seeks to create a community that remains active 24 hours a day.

the project’s buildings, blocks, and open spaces are made for humans without the distraction of motor vehicles and the noise, pollution, and speed associated with them. the open, porous campus offers a variety of public spaces and amenities as well as connections to the rest of the city via subway, bike paths, and ferries. a comprehensive transportation network prioritizes pedestrian access, bicycles, and public transit.

the architects say that sustainability was a primary driver of the design. photovoltaic panels have been integrated throughout, while sensors track environmental performance and flooding. the design also meets the goals of china’s ‘sponge city’ initiative by collecting water on campus, managing runoff and flooding, and planting mangrove trees at the shoreline’s edge. public green spaces are found throughout the plan and include commons, groves, wetlands, and sports and recreation parks.

project info:

name: net city
location: shenzhen, china
architect: NBBJ
client: tencent