Landscape architect Morphis and architect
Commissioned by the Shenzhen Government, the Shenzhen Bay Avenue East Extension will create a 1km multi-layered pedestrian connection, shaping the future of the city’s urban fabric to form a vibrant and culturally-animated transition between the commercial district of the city and the bay. The result will be a new city destination of lively public realm promoting healthy and sustainable living.
The winning design celebrates the concept of ‘City-Culture-Bay’ to create a coherent ensemble of interconnected elevated walkways, linked by escalators and stairs to a lively streetscape and basement level civic realm. The route passes through three distinct zones, from the central business district through to a new cultural quarter and on to a landscaped park on the bay. The design will become an ensemble of animated places, as a series of destinations along its linear route, framed with new commercial and cultural buildings.
Key urban spaces include a transport interchange with a bus station and links to two subway stations, a sunken plaza
Matthew Potter, director of WilkinsonEyre Hong Kong says: “WilkinsonEyre and Morphis have collaborated to create a proposal that holistically blends architecture, urban design and landscape design. Our concept will deliver a strong linear public space with the flexibility to allow the city to breathe, develop, grow and adapt.”
Mark Blackwell, director of Morphis says: “The creation of new and contemporary public realm integrated with city life is crucial to simultaneously transform and unite Shenzhen with its waterfront. It will be spectacular and dynamic, beyond imagination, rooted in the culture of Shenzhen’s diverse community delivering a thriving, well- served and sustainable cityscape.”
The competition was organised by one of China’s leading developers, CR Land. The other shortlisted practices were Sasaki Associates, Turenscape, MLA+UPDIS, BNP+ShenDu Group and Aecom.
