Liantang, China
European Prize for Architecture Laureate Mecanoo and Meng Architects, in collaboration with Lola Landscape Architects, have won the highly competitive international design competition for the Shenzhen Guangming Science Valley, located in China.
This ambitious project aims to establish the first comprehensive national science center in the Greater Bay Area, attracting researchers and innovative talent from around the world to create a world-leading research and innovation center.
The visionary design proposed by the winning consortium embraces the unique natural features of the site, presenting an innovative concept called “Scientific Forest”.
Located in the middle of Lian Tang Reservoir, Lou Village Reservoir, and the valley space between them, Shenzhen Guangming Science Valley benefits from its prime location, surrounded by mountains and water, which offers an ecological advantage.
The design team introduced the “Valley of Coexistence” concept in their winning proposal.
This concept revolves around the strategy of “temporary restoration and selective construction,” with time as a vital element.
The plan incorporates a diverse program of public activities known as “1001 Forest Gardens” and three interdependent components: a public circuit, a research center, and a natural perimeter layer.
The objective is to encourage collaboration between the public and scientists, encouraging the growth of the forest and promoting coexistence within the valley.
Covering an area of about 1.2 square kilometers, the Shenzhen Guangming Science Valley will serve as the core of an international science and technology innovation center spanning Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
With its strategic location within an important scientific cluster and the natural elements that surround it, the project will become a global symbol of scientific advancement and innovation.
Project: Shenzhen Guangming Science Valley
Architects: Mecanoo Architekten and MENG Architects
Landscape Architects: LOLA Landscape Architects
Renderings: Mecanoo Architekten, WAX , and Silkroad
