Two international architecture competitions have been launched to design a pair of major arts facilities for one of the biggest districts in the Chinese city of Shenzhen.

The district government of Bao’an has fired the starting gun on the contests to create both a Public Culture and Arts Center and a new library and concert hall.

The former is a new build project which will house a museum, art gallery and theatre. All three will showcase both traditional folk art and contemporary cultural works. The building will be located in the central area of Bao’an, close to a central green axis.

Interested architects are requested to “create a multilevel, diversified public place that will improve Bao’an as an attraction and a coastal cultural landmark.”

The second competition seeks an architect to renovate the district’s Bao’an 1990 cultural complex into an up-to-date facility housing a library, culture centre and concert venue.

“Culture is the soul of a city, and the presence of sufficient and quality cultural facilities has a decisive impact on the future of a city,” said the district government in a statement. “To improve the overall image of Bao’an and bring new vitality to the old city, this competition will bring the 1990 complex to a new standard."

Design teams interested in entering either competition must register by 15 August 2016. Design submissions can be entered before 31 October.

A number of large-scale cultural projects are being developed in Shenzhen, including an art museum and library complex by German studio KSP Jurgen Engel Architekten and a design centre which will be overseen by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.

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