laguarda.low architects weaves green roofs on shenzhen waterfront

laguarda.low architects sculpts a fluid new retail park

International firm Laguarda.Low Architects has been gradually transforming the waterfront of Shenzhen with its sweeping Bao’an OCT OH BAY. The 128-acre development spans a three-quarter mile site and is divided into three parts — a culture park, an urban business center, and the east and west retail parks. The team, with locations in Beijing, Tokyo, and New York, notes that the project honors the history of the Chinese city as a market town.

Overall, the project is characterized by its many fluid layers, which are woven together to create a flowing new landscape. This ‘ecological blanket’ houses a collection of mixed-used spaces beneath its green rooftops, all connected by a network of walking paths. The architects comment: ‘The streamlined, curvilinear nature of the project and public gathering space are unifying themes, melding the needs of a commercially viable program and burgeoning cultural district at an extraordinary scale.’

images © Tong Yanlong

a layered ‘green roof ribbon’ on shenzhen’s waterfront

With its OCT OH BAY retail park, the team at Laguarda.Low Architects introduces 1.5 million square feet of mixed-use expansion in Shenzhen’s district Bao’an. The West Waterfront Retail Park comprises a performing arts center and entertainment venues, all surrounding a vast, open-air plaza.

Water plays a key role in the masterplan as a network of pools weaves throughout, inviting visitors to explore the waterfront by boat as well as on foot. Meanwhile, the East bank hosts a four-story ‘experimental retail park’ is defined by its gently sloping ramps and layered bridges beneath a ‘green roof ribbon.’ The group continues: ‘The traditional shopping experience is transformed with an abundance of natural light and choreographed circulation.’

image © Tong Yanlong

drawing visitors in from the waterfront

Laguarda.Low Architects’ 35,000 square-meter retail park along the east waterfront takes shape as a scattered collection of three-story, pebble-shaped volumes. On the south side, these organic forms seek to exist in harmony with nature. On the north side facing the city, multiple penetrations address the urban context. With its open and porous organization, the project naturally draws visitors into the breezy retail environment from the waterfront.

Sheltering overhangs and sweeping terraces are created by the subtle shifts in the stacking levels, funneling breezes across the landscaped green roofs and creating shady outdoor space — a retreat from the heat of the summer.

image © Tong Yanlong

a diverse new landscape

The layered network of undulating green roofs ties together the expansive development. These roofs create for visitors an array of viewpoints toward the ocean beyond. A diverse landscape is introduced and includes a flower garden, a cascading sculpture garden, an outdoor performance terrace, and a running trail. This trail is suspended above the retail circulation and gives runners a panoramic vista across the park, toward the city, and across the vast ocean.

image © Tong Yanlong

the sustainable design

The architects detail the sustainable elements of the retail park development: ‘The ecological green belt that runs through the retail blocks on the east and west banks introduces water features and green plants into the commercial space, the landscape and the architecture are naturally integrated. Along with awnings, green balconies, and ecological roofs to form air ducts and cold lanes, which greatly reduces urban heat island effect.

‘The retail streets maximize natural lighting through skylights and patios, and use solar systems to continuously obtain energy. The orientation of the buildings caters to the demand of natural ventilation. The streamlined shape and vertical patio are designed to enhance wind pressure and thermal pressure ventilation. High ceilings, openable windows and high-energy low-speed fans are used to optimize indoor air circulation.’

image © ZC Architectural Photography Studio

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image © Tong Yanlong

image © ZC Architectural Photography Studio

image © Sikang Architecture Photography Studio

image © Shenzhen OCT Co.Ltd

image © Shenzhen Goldlamp Intelligent Engineering Co., Ltd.

project info:

project title: OCT OH BAY

architecture: Laguarda.Low Architects (LLA)

location: Haitian Rd. and Baohua Rd, Bao’an, Shenzhen, China

client: Baoan Urban Management And Law Enforcement Department, Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town Co.,Ltd
area: 43 hectares
status: Waterfront Cultural Park opened August 2020, East Waterfront Retail Park opened February 2021, West Waterfront Retail Park to open 2022
photography: © Tong Yanlong, ZC Architectural Photography Studio, Sikang Architecture Photography Studio, OCT Group

lead architect, principal-in-charge: Pablo Laguarda / FAIA
senior project designer: Junkyeu Song / LEED AP
senior project managers: James Wu, Jin Liang / AIA
project manager: Chen Han, Xinzhi Pan / LEED AP
project coordinator: Christina Wu
LLA team members: Jiteng Yang, Yiheng Yu, Insuk Shin, Sara Yarisolian, Yuchen Zhao, Zhaoyuan Gou
landscape design: SWA, AUBE
construction document development: Huasen Architects (HSA)
lighting design: Light Cibles
architectural design of Baoan Performing Arts Centre: Rocco Design Architects
construction drawing of Baoan Performing Arts Centre: BIADSC
certification: OCT Baoan Waterfront Park received LEED ND GOLD Certification