Project Introduction
The Shenzhen Happy Coast project is situated on a prime waterfront site along Shenzhen Bay. It represents the pioneering integrated cultural, commercial, leisure, tourism, and cultural tourism development by OCT Group, marking a first of its kind in China. At the heart of the development lies a man-made lake, offering abundant waterfront experiences and spaces for water-based activities. Surrounding this lake are diverse commercial formats and open-air venues such as water shows and beaches, creating a vibrant cultural, tourism, commercial, business, and leisure destination. The architectural design masterfully blends strong modern elements with traditional Chinese architectural culture.
A bird’s-eye view of Qushui Bay in the eastern district © Fang Jian
Guided by OCT Group’s vision, LLA (Laguarda. Low Architects) leveraged its global experience to deliver an innovative and cohesive cultural, leisure, business, and commercial venue. The design emphasizes organic integration, density, immersive experiences, and artistic expression across the overall layout, site planning, architectural forms, and spatial creation. The development accommodates offices, hotels, cultural and performing arts venues, commercial spaces, and more, aspiring to become a landmark recognized at the city, national, and international levels.
△ Qushui Bay in the Eastern District © Fang Jian
Design Concept
The project’s planning and design fully leverage Shenzhen Bay’s geographical advantages, injecting vibrancy into the coastal area through a series of engaging venues. The architectural style combines the charm and elements of traditional Chinese architecture with modern, dynamic expressions. To further enhance visitor engagement, significant attention was given to site and landscape design.
△ Overall Plan of Happy Coast © LLA
The waterway system is a critical element, organizing and connecting different clusters and outdoor public spaces. Both sides of the waterway feature riverside walkways, inviting visitors to stroll, pause, or relax amidst lush greenery. The interplay of water and sky, the gentle waves under the arch bridge, and reflections from adjacent buildings create a harmonious setting for enjoying scenic views or unwinding by the water. This design transforms the waterway into a lively, diverse, and popular public space.
Design model of Qushui Bay in the Eastern District © LLA
The unique mix of commercial formats combined with architectural and spatial design in the northern and eastern sections offers a distinctive coastal lifestyle experience. Residents, workers, and visitors can enjoy a blend of urban entertainment, high-quality shopping, and diverse leisure venues, ensuring each visit is fresh and memorable.
Overall bird’s-eye view © Fang Jian
△ Project North and East Area Models © LLA
△ Project Design Process Manuscript © LLA
North District O’Plaza Happy Coast Shopping Center
The architectural design of Happy Coast places strong emphasis on an exceptional shopping and consumer experience. The O’Plaza shopping center in the northern district serves as a concentrated commercial hub, complemented by the Qushuiwan dining and cultural leisure open block in the eastern district, together offering a rich and varied shopping and lifestyle environment.
△ Happy Coast O’Plaza Shopping Center © Fang Jian
△ Happy Coast O’Plaza Shopping Center Model © LLA
△ Happy Coast O’Plaza Shopping Center © Roland Halbe
△ Happy Coast O’Plaza Shopping Center © Roland Halbe
The O’Plaza shopping center design breaks away from traditional mall concepts by dedicating each area to crafting a unique and engaging shopping experience. Multiple courtyards seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces, with natural light and landscape elements creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere as visitors move through the different zones.
Joy Coast O’Plaza Shopping Center Marriott Hotel © Roland Halbe
△ Happy Coast O’Plaza Shopping Center – Outdoor © John Low
△ Happy Coast O’Plaza Shopping Center – Outdoor © John Low
△ Happy Coast O’Plaza Shopping Center near the lake © John Low
△ Roof of Happy Coast O’Plaza Shopping Center © Roland Halbe
Inside, the design draws inspiration from the European arcade tradition, creating a rich and unique spatial hierarchy and architectural character that enhances the shopping experience.
△ Joyful Coast O’Plaza Shopping Center Interior © Roland Halbe
△ Happy Coast O’Plaza Shopping Center Courtyard © Roland Halbe
Qushuiwan Village, East District
The Qushui Bay area in the eastern district draws inspiration from traditional Chinese water towns. Its planning thoughtfully integrates waterways, buildings, public spaces, and commercial formats to offer an exceptionally immersive experience. Functional elements in this district include boutique hotels, restaurants, trendy bar streets, cinemas, and performance stages.
△ Qushui Bay © Fang Jian
△ Qushui Bay – Lakeside Restaurant © John Low
The area is made up of two-story buildings with a welcoming character, connected by scenic trails, plazas, and winding waterways. Architecturally, it blends modern design with traditional Chinese elements such as wooden grids, flower windows, and brick walls, reflecting a harmonious balance between modernity and heritage. Small, exquisitely crafted Chinese-style bridges span the waterways, enriching the modernist atmosphere with traditional charm.
Design of individual buildings in Qushui Bay © LLA
△ Qushui Bay – Architecture and Landscape © Fu Xing
△ Qushui Bay – Landscape Trail © Roland Halbe
△ Qushui Bay Bridge Water System © Fu Xing
△ Qushui Bay – Outdoor Water System © John Low
△ Qushui Bay – Outdoor © John Low
△ Qushui Bay – Outdoor © Fang Jian
△ Qushui Bay – Avier Mariscal Sculpture Design © John Low
△ Qushui Bay – Outdoor Night Scene © John Low
△ Qushui Bay – Outdoor Night Scene © John Low
△ Qushui Bay – Outdoor Night Scene © John Low
△ Qushui Bay – Outdoor © Fang Jian
△ Qushui Bay – Outdoor © John Low
Lanxi Boutique Hotel Bay Breeze Hotel
Located at the entrance of Qushui Bay in the eastern district, the Lanxi Boutique Hotel covers approximately 7,000 square meters and offers 57 distinctive guest rooms. It boasts panoramic views of the nearby Happy Coast project and stretches out to endless bay vistas. As a creative boutique hotel developed by OCT, its architecture blends traditional Chinese timber structural elements with contemporary forms and materials.
△ Happy Coast Lanxi Boutique Hotel © Fang Jian
△ Happy Coast Lanxi Boutique Hotel – Exterior View © Fu Xing
The five-story building features a series of glass blocks adorned with vertical wooden louvers inspired by traditional Chinese wood construction. The hotel’s west entrance features a striking awning, welcoming guests along a water-featured stone path into the lobby. Wide steps in the lobby draw the eye toward the Qu Shui Wan waterway beyond the building, providing a relaxing spot to rest, socialize, and enjoy the view.
△ Lanxi Boutique Hotel © Fang Jian
△ Happy Coast Lanxi Boutique Hotel – Entrance Grand Staircase © John Low
Project Information:
Project Name: Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town Happy Coast
Owner: Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town Group
Address: 2008 Binhai Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province
Scale: 300,000 square meters
Completion: Phase I opened in 2012, Phase II in 2015
Design Firm: LLA Architectural Design Company / Laguarda. Low Architects (LLA), www.laguardalow.com
LLA’s scope: overall planning, commercial building design, interior design of O’Plaza shopping center
Architectural Design Partner: Shenzhen Institute of Architectural Design and Research
Shopping Center Interior Design Partner: J& Jane Design
Landscape Design: SWA Group
Lighting Design: BLISS FASMAN, USA
Photography: Roland Halbe, Fu Xing Architecture Photography Studio, Fang Jian (Sikang Photography Studio), John Low
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