Building a public space network
Qianhai Interlock
Location: Shenzhen, China
Client: Shenzhen Qianhai SZ-HK Modern Service Industry Ltd.
Programme: Public space design Strategy for a new district including conceptual design of a pilot zone
Qianhai Bay is a new district on Shenzhen. In a short time buildings are being erected and public and open space is quickly generated in large quantum without much coherence of the whole. Rather than generically filling spaces in between buildings with ‘stuff’, we propose to develop an open space strategy that defines a series of objectives. Based on these goals, design decisions are made in response to the buildings, their programme and the location of a space in the bigger context. The seven objectives we define – by playing out with different gravity in different location – deliver a seamless open space where the principles are present everywhere but the way they ‘interlock’ greatly differs.
Streets form be framework of the open space system within which and across which the pedestrian space links on different levels. Integrated into this three-dimensional network, other programmatic elements, vital functions such a rainwater management and leisure program are integrated.
We use the planned ‘Ewan Valley’ as a test bed and showcase of the interlock concept. Applied successfully here, it will provide a learning ground for the further extension of the public space network across the entire area of Qianhai Bay for it to become a place where the quality of life can be fully explored on foot and in a pleasant and healthy environment.
Stages:
2019 concept design
Awards:
International Design Competition, 4th prize
Team:
MLA+:Alex Lee, Brock Downs, Ildar Biganyakov, Ivana Damjanovic, Li Tang, Markus Appenzeller, Martin Probst, Ruixin Chen, Ruojing Wu, Xiaolu Sun, Yi Yu
