MAD Architecture, led by Ma Yansong, has unveiled the master plan and architectural design for the Shenzhen Bay Cultural Square. In August 2018, MAD won the international competition for the planning and architectural design of Shenzhen Bay Square.
Located along the waterfront of Houhai Center in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District, this rapidly growing economic zone has become a hub for global technological innovation over the past decade. The project spans approximately 97,000 square meters and comprises three main elements: a roof-covered square, a landscape building, and an underground public exhibition space. MAD’s design includes the North-South Exhibition Complex, which houses the Shenzhen Creative Design Hall and Shenzhen Science Life Hall, covering around 51,000 square meters with a total built area of 182,000 square meters. The Creative Design Hall is recognized as one of Shenzhen’s “New Top Ten Cultural Facilities.”
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Panoramic Planning
Heading east from the central axis of Entrepreneurial Road, visitors are greeted by a clear, surreal landscape with a primitive vibe. Behind lies the bustling urban core of Nanshan District, while ahead, a dense, winding skyline of high-rise buildings interspersed with stone structures, green spaces, and public activity zones emerges. These elements are linked by pathways, blending the original character of the architecture with a vision for the future.
Panoramic view of Shenzhen Bay Cultural Square
The entrance square connects seamlessly to a large lawn and interactive pool. Two bay passages guide pedestrians directly through the north-south exhibition hall complex, fostering a fluid connection between the city and public spaces. The exhibition halls feature glass curtain walls, allowing park visitors to observe the indoor activities. These bay passages are illuminated with vibrant lights, interactive information boards, and art displays, creating a lively atmosphere.
The exhibition spaces vary in size and height, causing the green slope to undulate naturally. Stone clusters either intersect or float above the slope, linking the entire covered square.
Visitors can access the elevated viewing platform from anywhere in the square via stairs and trails. The space integrates areas for sports, climbing, exercise, and relaxation, establishing a versatile public urban environment. Multiple platforms offer diverse perspectives for enjoying the square’s scenic beauty.
The roof-covered square, landscape architecture, and underground public exhibition areas form the core components
△ Aerial view of Shenzhen Bay Cultural Square
North and South Building Complex
The central axis landscape bridge connecting the two pavilions leads to the rooftop theater
The Creative Design Hall and Life Science Hall together form the North-South Exhibition Hall complex. Between these two pavilions, an elevated central axis landscape bridge provides access to a rooftop theater. The museum offers a thoughtfully designed, comfortable exhibition space, with public exhibition areas spreading horizontally across the first floor. Temporary exhibition halls dedicated to culture and technology are primarily located on this level.
Public exhibition halls are organized into distinct zones: green slope exhibition halls, stone cluster exhibition halls, and underground halls. Beneath the green slope lies a double-height Unicom exhibition hall. Some first-floor and basement halls have standard exhibition spaces with a net height of six meters, while the stone cluster houses a special exhibition hall featuring a distinctive lobby that acts as a key circulation node, clarifying spatial orientation. The architecture extensively harnesses natural light to blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, fostering an open, unconstrained experience.
The special exhibition hall features soaring ceilings, creating an impressive display environment
The special exhibition hall nestled within the stone cluster is the architectural centerpiece. Covered with natural greenery on the roof, stones descend into water, and the variety of stone forms offers flexible and striking exhibition spaces indoors. With a ceiling height of 30 meters, the hall can accommodate around 3,000 square meters of exhibition space at once. Natural light filters through the partially transparent and solid stone surfaces. Steps carved into the stone lead visitors to the top, offering a contemplative space that opens to the sky and connects with a winding climbing path.
Natural light penetrates through the stone, enhancing spatial fluidity and diminishing the sense of time
Shared Education Zone
The educational area spans two floors, connecting the entrance plaza on the first floor with the bay passages. Two underground exhibition halls are linked from north to south, making full use of the expansive space beneath the green slope. This area integrates commercial and dining facilities, enlivening the exhibition halls.
The shared education zone includes a 720-seat multifunctional exhibition hall and a 300-seat lecture hall. The exhibition spaces employ dark, sound-absorbing materials to create an ideal acoustic environment. Additional facilities include a cultural theater, library, and a specialty stone café.
Public spaces beneath the green slope allow views into exhibition activities through glass walls
The multifunctional public area lies beneath the green slope
Multifunctional Public Space
The stage situated in the mirror pool of the central square brings artistic vibrancy to the coastal nights
The multifunctional public space links various exhibition halls, with the central square serving as the core activity area. It can accommodate large-scale events with up to 10,000 attendees. The mirror pool reflects the urban architectural complex, creating a captivating atmosphere. A musical fountain adds festivity, while the central stage doubles as a seaside theater. This public space also serves as a venue for art installations and sculpture exhibitions, suitable for hosting international art festivals and exchange events.
The rooftop viewing platform, open-air theater, and sunken courtyard introduce innovative public spaces that combine landscape design and art installations, offering a dynamic outdoor museum experience.
Transportation Planning and Design
The city’s central axis extends toward the waterfront through the square’s design, creating a continuous open space
The design extends Shenzhen’s central axis to the seaside, with the main road, Dengliang Road, partially sunken to align with Shenzhen Talent Park, forming an uninterrupted open space. This urban transformation turns public spaces into cultural “clones” of the city, allowing people to engage with culture and art from varied perspectives, explore innovative lifestyles, and experience harmony between urban life and nature. Ultimately, this expansive public plaza will become Shenzhen’s welcoming “guest hall,” rich in natural ambiance.
Creating a cultural landmark requires more than remarkable architecture—it demands a profound impact on citizens’ lives, society, and the arts. Shenzhen Bay Cultural Square embodies this vision by establishing a unique space that transcends modern urban life. The architect has crafted a spacious environment featuring stone formations that blur the boundaries of time and space—serving as both a reflection of the past and a beacon for the future, an enduring urban oasis.
The Shenzhen Bay Cultural Square is slated for completion in 2023.
Overall master plan of Shenzhen Bay Cultural Square
△ Venue Model
Design Drawings
△ First floor plan
△ Section A-A’
△ Section B-B’
△ Section C-C’
Project Information
Project Name: Shenzhen Bay Cultural Square (Shenzhen Creative Design Museum and Shenzhen Science Life Museum)
Type: Cultural
Location: Shenzhen, China
Project Duration: 2018–2023
Base Area: Approximately 51,000 square meters
Total Construction Area: 182,000 square meters
Underground Construction Area: 137,000 square meters
Above Ground Construction Area: 44,000 square meters
Multifunctional Hall Capacity: 720 seats
Lecture Hall Capacity: 300 seats
North Pavilion Height: 31 meters
South Pavilion Height: 52 meters
Lead Partners: Ma Yansong, Party Masses, Yokosuke Hayano
Lead Vice Partners: Li Jian, Tiffany Dahlen
Design Team: Li Cunhao, Zhang Chao, Neeraj Mahajan, Zhang Yaohui, Huang Jinkun, Maria Corella, Kenji Hada, Lim Zi Han, Yulin, Yan Ran, Chen Yien, Liu Hailun, Pittayapa Suriyapee, Lei Kaiyun, Alessandro Fisalli, Edgar Navarrete S., Haruka Tomoeda, Lu Zihao
Grade A Design Institute: East China Architectural Design and Research Institute
Structural Consultant: Arup Engineering Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Branch
Curtain Wall Consultant: Alpha Architectural Design Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Interior Decoration: Shanghai Modern Architectural Decoration Environment Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Lighting Design: Beijing Ningzhijing Lighting Design Co., Ltd.
Logo Design: Yuan Yanzai (Beijing Dasi Advertising Co., Ltd.)
Acoustic Design: Guangdong Qiyuan Architectural Engineering Design Institute Co., Ltd.
Transportation Consulting: Paimeng Transportation Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Traffic Assessment: China Urban Development Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Rendering Production: Prolog
Multimedia Production: SAN
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