Shenzhen, China
The Snow Beer Factory Redevelopment by Kevin Wang and Keith Griffiths of Aedas for CR Land will create office spaces, vertical factories, retail shops, and a new craft beer brewery, while preserving the industrial heritage of the site.
Built in the 1990s, the towering silos become visual symbols of the neighborhood, while fresh brews ferment the night life beloved by the locals.
Due to the significance of the site and the rapid urbanization of the region, the Snow Beer Factory Redevelopment Project has been of great importance to the citizens of Bao’an District.
Derived from the essence of beer culture, the project is a human-centric space that brings people together.
It will be a place to relax, enjoy fine beer and food, and celebrate with family and friends.
The Snow Beer Factory Redevelopment has recently been awarded a 2022 International Architecture Awards Honorable Mention by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
Upon completion, the project will house six office towers, including the global headquarter for Snow Beer; two retail blocks, a new brewery, two vertical factories, three apartment towers, a cultural center, and a beer museum.
Despite the intense density of Shenzhen’s urban scenarios, the project provides a green oasis, with lush streets, plazas, courtyards, and terraces, creating an urban garden amid the industrial backdrop.
Moreover, retail and entertainment activities will generate a welcoming atmosphere, making the project a gathering place for Shenzhen.
The fermenting silos have been the symbol of the neighborhood since its inception.
The towers’ rounded silhouettes compliment the historical heritage, integrating the modern skyline with urban memories.
The podiums and retail blocks share the same design language, a series of inverted or extroverted cylinder forms are used, as reminiscent elements of the existing silos.
Furthermore, the existing silos will be re-purposed into a museum dedicated to beer culture.
Conceived as the to-go place for beer fans, the museum will serve fresh craft beers from the adjacent Snow Brewery, as well as exotic brands from all over the world.
Much as the programmatic complexity, the retail blocks are also rich in their offerings.
Capturing the outdoor lifestyle through vivid streets, plazas, and terraces, the project will provide citizens and visitors with a unique and culturally immersive experience.
From day to night, the project remains a catalyst for diverse activities and events.
The plazas and retail areas will also be the site for the annual beer carnival, along with other city festivals.
As the new home for Snow Beer, the headquarter tower’s cylinder form is a simple and elegant reminder of the industrial past.
The 210-meter tall tower includes rental offices, headquarters offices for Snow Beer, as well as exhibition space, a convention center, and a media center.
On the high zone, a sky lobby offers a panoramic view of the Shenzhen skyline, while the top of the tower will be a beacon to the entire campus.
Programmatically, it also connects all the Snow beer office floors together, creating a workspace that encourages open dialogue and collaboration.
At the top of the tower, a special venue called ‘Mission Space’ is conceived to cater VIP events and news conferences.
‘Mission Space’ also includes a bar that serves the finest craft beer to guests and staff.
The master plan will bring back the old canal that once went through the site, transforming it into an intimate park for citizens.
The waterfront will provide ample green spaces for the locals, and host farmers’ markets, outdoor movie nights, and informal gatherings.
Project: Snow Beer Factory Redevelopment
Architects: Aedas
Lead Architects: Kevin Wang and Keith Griffiths
Client: CR Land
Photographs Courtesy of the Architects
