MVRDV design "urban living room" with lush greenery and organic, stacked terraces
– Competition jury
MVRDV is one of two finalists in a competition to design the Shimao ShenKong International Centre, with a proposal that combines stacked terraces, curved organic forms and lush greenery.
The competition sought designs for a municipal facility for Universiade New Town in China that would accommodate a variety of different amenities and green spaces.
MVRDV'S 101,300sq m (1 million sq ft) Shenzhen Terraces proposal was conceived as a new urban living room that would form the core of the new thriving neighbourhood.
Landscape, leisure, commerce and culture elements would be integrated by way of a large web-like platform lifting up from ground level to connect a number of different areas and a series of stacked platforms accommodating different uses.
More than 20 programmes are factored in, including a small gallery, a library and an outdoor theatre.
The terraces, curved for sense of calm and tranquility, don't just provide floor space, but provide additional benefits through cleverly moulded adaptations.
Overhangs provide shade, dipped edges link different levels or double as small outdoor auditoriums and façades are pushed inwards to emphasise and form entrances.
Evaluating the proposal, the competition jury said: "The design not only provides an opportunity for Universiade New Town to become a cultural destination, but also offers a new typology for public space. This experimental urban design is valuable for academic research in Longgang District and Shenzhen.
"With the appropriate proportion of green space and plants, optimised material and structure form, the Shenzhen Terrace will develop into an ‘urban garden’ on a human scale."
MVRDV competition Shenzhen China

Bjarke Ingels-designed Oakland baseball stadium a step closer

London's Battersea Power Station prepares for major launch

Weiss/Manfredi and Reed Hilderbrand reveal US$250m redevelopment for Longwood Gardens, Philadelphia

Baca Architects submits scheme for floating eco-wellness resort

MVRDV reveal ambitious plans to create Marble Arch visitor attraction for London

Coventry's former IKEA building slated to become arts and cultural centre of international importance

World's first entirely wooden stadium approved for use by EFL

Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter and ASP Architecture create hidden nature retreat inspired by hygge and Nordic hospitality

Zaha Hadid’s Opus building houses spa designed by The Wellness

Meow Wolf creates mind-blowing Las Vegas attraction – Omega Mart

BRC selected to design new World Food Center – will explore sustainability and global food supply

Ritz-Carlton Reserve opens with luxury spa at Japanese alpine ski resort

Scott Brownrigg-designed Museum of Military Medicine in Cardiff given planning approval

Work starts on US$898m e-sports arena in Shanghai

Gyms added to the mix for new super-luxe retail roll-out

OMA designs Miami Beach's ReefLine – a seven mile-long underwater sculpture park

Ole Scheeren and Shigeru Ban team up to design art and cultural destination in Hangzhou

FIFA files criminal complaint over funding of €459m world football museum

ReardonSmith leads design of Heya – a hotel room concept offering personalisation for each guest

Disney reveals first visuals of ambitious Star Wars attraction – including designs for hotel 'pods'

Flaxmill Maltings – the world's first cast-iron framed building – is to be redeveloped as a visitor attraction by Mather & Co

LVMH announces Bulgari Hotel for Miami Beach, with design by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel

Technogym opens retail store in Los Angeles

AZPML and UKST win competition to design Korean Museum of Urbanism and Architecture

Delos partners with TPP Capital to advance access to health and wellbeing solutions in urban communities

The Well creates integrated wellness retreat in New England countryside for Auberge Resorts

Architects 10 Design reveal plans for ambitious Edinburgh city centre plans

Perth's Boola Bardip museum opens in new AU$400m building designed by Hassell and OMA

UK Government's £1bn scheme to decarbonise is 'a huge opportunity' for the leisure industries
