Project Overview

Located in Guangming District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, the project spans 2.082 million square meters of lush greenery, serving as the "Green Core" of Shenzhen’s northern center. Designed to support the international, high-quality public services of Guangming Science City, it aims to become a world-class, scientifically integrated park.

The design faces multiple challenges while aligning with Guangming District’s vision of a world-class science city. Preserving the natural landscapes of Chai Mountain in the north and Loucun Water in the south, the design introduces the theme “Science Leads, Guangming Transforms.” Like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, the park follows a butterfly-inspired layout, structured around "One Core, Two Wings - Science Core & Nature Wings," symbolizing Guangming’s soaring future.

Project Commissioner

Bureau of Public Works of Shenzhen Municipality

Project Creator

Guangzhou S.P.I Design Co., Ltd. , Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte. Ltd

Team

Hu Sun, Shenglin Cai, Dian Liu, Boyu Pan, Jing He, Xu Qu, Qingyi Luo, Long Yan, Jiaqi Huang

Project Brief

The project’s overall design follows a "One Belt, Two Axes, Three Zones" framework, blending park and urban spaces. This includes the Science Experience Belt, Urban Development Axis, Landscape Axis, Science Axis, Science Core, Northern Mountain Park, and Southern Vibrant Park.
The project emphasizes three key strategies: ecological priority, industry-driven urban planning, and city branding. Through ecological restoration, scientific-themed spaces, and an urban landscape theater, it aims to establish a landmark that balances scientific exploration with the beauty of nature.

The northern wing returns to the natural mountain landscape, offering ecological and immersive wilderness experiences, while preserving native lychee trees. A subtle design approach integrates Chai Mountain’s diverse terrain and valleys, creating six nature theaters and three science-themed hiking trails. Prime viewing locations are used for treetop walkways and scenic platforms. At the peak of Chai Mountain, the Scientific Sky Loop provides a stunning panoramic view, offering a comprehensive landscape experience.

Project Innovation/Need

As Shenzhen’s first science-themed park, the project draws inspiration from Guangming District’s three core scientific disciplines - life sciences, materials science, and information science – to explore the essence of science from multiple dimensions. It analyzes the needs of both citizens and scientists for outdoor science spaces. From a global perspective, art originates from science, and the design integrates science, art, nature, and exploration.

Guided by the site characteristics, the design proposes three interconnected scientific spatial hierarchies. The Scientific Value and Spiritual Space evokes a sense of honor, mission, and belonging in science. The Scientific Foundation and Platform Space fosters meditation, inspiration, and intellectual exchange, serving as a catalyst for creativity. The Scientific Origin Space expresses curiosity, exploration, observation, and creativity, with the northern wing providing an ideal environment for this vision.

Through these three spaces, the park returns to the essence of science, emphasizing innovation and creating a distinctive, forward-looking landscape for the future of scientific discovery and living.

Design Challenge

Impact on Project Timeline
Due to China’s farmland protection policies, the project is divided into two construction phases. Phase 1 includes the north and south wings, with the north wing set to open first in 2024. However, the south wing’s construction is delayed as it will host equestrian events during the 2025 National Games.

Balancing Ecological Preservation and Public Recreation
The project seeks to preserve the existing ecological environment while providing a safe habitat for diverse flora and fauna and creating immersive nature experiences for urban residents. To achieve this, the design adopts a low-impact development approach with rewilding strategies, ensuring minimal disturbance to the mountainous landscape.

The concept transforms the forest into a Nature Theater, integrating natural science themes and drawing inspiration from elements such as water, wood, mist, sound, hills, and the moon. This immersive space highlights the beauty and wonder of nature, fostering appreciation for the natural world and scientific exploration.

Moreover, as municipal roads separate the north wing from the central core, an ecological corridor bridge is introduced to facilitate wildlife migration, ensuring a connected and thriving habitat.

Sustainability

The existing lychee forest will be preserved and revitalized by improving its ecological structure -removing weak or diseased trees and replanting native species to ensure a healthy and sustainable forest. For mountain trails, the design repurposes former orchard paths as park hiking routes, minimizing excavation and land disturbance. Where feasible, locally sourced stone and reclaimed wood will be integrated to create eco-friendly, cost-effective trails, offering visitors an immersive natural experience.

The project also introduces innovative PVDF membrane material for the park’s artistic pergolas. This material’s exceptional formability enables the creation of elegant, sculptural structures that enhance both aesthetics and functionality within the landscape.

Landscape Design - International - Public

This award celebrates creativity and innovation in the use of practical, aesthetic, horticultural, and environmentally sustainability components, taking into account climate, site and orientation, site drainage and irrigation, human and vehicular access, furnishings and lighting.
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