REFORM's undulating roof doubles as pedestrian passage at shenzhen people's park

REFORM’s East Entrance Renovation project in Shenzhen

The redevelopment project of the Eastern Entrance of Shenzhen People’s Park, covering 380 square meters, has been undertaken by REFORM as part of the broader People’s Park Quality Enhancement Project. Through this structure, the team sought to improve pedestrian flow and enhance the appearance of the gateway. Located between a city street and the park’s eastern plaza, the site faces a 5.8-meter elevation difference. The project involves enlarging outdoor stairs, installing covered handrail elevators, and providing accessible vertical elevators to foster interactions between the entrance and the plaza, sparking a more diverse range of usage scenarios.

image © Sai Shu

Enhancements & Features of the Eastern Entrance Redevelopment

The redevelopment plan by REFORM (see more here) reorganizes pedestrian flow by relocating the outdoor stairs to the northern side, creating distance from newly constructed public restrooms on the southern side to prevent congestion. Handrail elevators are positioned beneath the stairs, utilizing the structure for protection against weather elements. An accessible elevator is situated in the southern corner, accompanied by a spacious waiting area at ground level. The design of the eastern entrance takes inspiration from the park’s roses, incorporating petal-like curves into the architectural outline and plaza paving. These curves are designed to gracefully avoid disrupting mature trees on the site. The roof gently slopes towards the north to align with the stair treads and seamlessly blends with the surrounding green landscape. Flowers cascade down the grassy slope towards the roof, creating a lush garden ambiance around the outdoor staircase.
citizens enjoying the new spaces at the park, image © Sai Shu

The roof gently slopes upwards towards the south, adorned with verdant greenery, creating a naturalistic impression akin to a fissure on the earth’s surface. Beneath, a cave-like space emerges adjacent to the eastern plaza. This structure not only shields the escalator from falling leaves but also offers a sheltered area within the plaza, providing protection from sunlight and rain while offering a semi-outdoor venue for various activities. As one descends the escalator, the panoramic view gradually unfolds, revealing the grand banyan tree and the tranquil lake of the eastern plaza. Conversely, ascending the escalator offers a more focused view through the opening, capturing glimpses of treetops and distant clouds. ‘We achieve the optimal balance between artistic and economic considerations through the use of an informationized model,’ shares the team.  
image © Sai Shu

The solution employs irregular steel structures featuring a 30-meter column-free space supported by two oblique rectangular steel arches. Arch beams, vertical elevator shafts, and steel truss retaining walls work in tandem to form the primary structural framework of the space. Curved stainless steel decorative panels are affixed to the main structure using sturdy brackets, while green planting troughs adorn the exterior walls and roof. The building’s walls are coated with a uniform light gray cement decorative finish, intentionally blurring the traditional sense of vertical orientation. This minimalist material choice contrasts with the intricate geometric design, abstractly evoking a vast earthly landscape. Semi-transparent white acrylic handrails on the elevators transform into soft light sources at night, complemented by nebula-like perforated lights on the walls, creating a futuristic ambiance.

Challenges and Successes in the Park Entrance Redevelopment

The project, initiated in 2021, has encountered numerous challenges during implementation. These include stability issues with the existing retaining wall, leading to the abrupt discontinuation of the original curved contour on the south side, and the adoption of a less precise manual bending method for stainless steel panels due to cost constraints. Additionally, issues related to construction professionalism resulted in modifications to railing designs. These challenges, while shared responsibility, highlight the need for better anticipation of construction difficulties while pursuing artistic goals. Despite setbacks, recent site visits have shown positive community engagement, with citizens of all ages enjoying the accessible and aesthetically pleasing space. The design creatively addresses site differences and interference, blending natural landscapes with futuristic elements to create a unique and beloved entrance within budget constraints.

interior view, image © Yu Pei

image © Yu Pei

image © Yu Pei

image © Yu Pei

lake view, image © Yu Pei

bird view, image © Sai Shu

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eastern entrance night view © Sai Shu

image © Sai Shu

eastern entrance daily user © Yu Pei

© Yu Pei

project info:

name: The Opened Land – Redevelopment Design of the Eastern Entrance of Shenzhen People’s Park
designer: REFORM

design year: 2021-2023

completion year: 2023.04

leader designer: Sai Shu

project team: Yiming Wang, Ziyu Lin, Shi Zhang

location: Eastern Entrance of Shenzhen People’s Park, Luohu District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China

gross built area: 380 sqm

photography: Pei Yu, Sai Shu

client: Shenzhen Park Management Center

construction agency: Bureau Of Public Works Of Shenzhen Municipality

development contractor: Shenzhen OCT Group

construction drawing design: Shenzhen Techand Ecology & Environment Co., LTD

design team: Deng Li, Zhao Tianzhu, Ke Qinhua, Huang Yuxia, Wang Lin, Wang Jun, Zhang Shuoyuan

construction: China State Construction & Engineering 4th Bureau 5th Corp Limited