In the Chinese city of Shenzhen, the construction of a truly fantastic campus has begun, which has no analogues in the world. The project, developed by the South Dutch company, provides a unique infrastructure that will bring a touch of originality to the vibrant area of Shenzhen University. The developers promise that not only students will be able to enjoy all the delights of the city of the future.
The construction of an amazing city-future - Shenzhen Terraces ("Shenzhen terraces") has begun. It is being developed by the Dutch architectural firm MVRDV, which won an international competition announced by the authorities of the city of Shenzhen, in southern China. A fantastic project began to be implemented in the most vibrant area of the Longgang metropolis, belonging to the Shenzhen University. For this reason, the infrastructure of Shenzhen Terraces will include not only public areas, most of the allocated territory, which is about 9, 5 hectares, is provided for the organization of educational, sports and leisure facilities that are intended for university students.
According to the Novate.ru editors, this will not be an ordinary campus, its main highlight will be integration into the natural landscape, and green spaces and water bodies will be able to see townspeople and young people in the most unexpected places.
Shenzhen Terraces can be viewed as a three-dimensional park that, in warm weather, will allow lectures to be held on its outdoor terraces and courtyards, rather than being inside stuffy rooms,”says Winy Maas, founding partner of MVRDV. - In this project we are working not against the climate, but together with it. Naturally ventilated terraces protected from the sun by canopies will soon be fantastic places to meet and study."
Architectural features: MVRDV architects managed to harmoniously combine the existing landscape and urban architecture with new buildings, thanks to the objects that look like stacked plateaus. The formed horizontal terraces behind which the buildings "hide" do not just contrast with the high-rise buildings located around the new district, they fulfill an ecological function. Overhangs provide shade, water bodies will help humidify and cool the air, and the round shape of buildings directs the air flow in the right direction, which will contribute to natural ventilation without the use of energy installations.
As you would expect from a multi-level three-dimensional park, the outer park space flows smoothly into the intermediate areas, and then the interior spaces. Everything is involved - from the sides of alleys and courtyards to staircases, atriums and roofs of some tiers of buildings. These zones have been transformed into fragrant parks, in which the "wild" jungle is replaced by green lawns and blooming clubs, exotic greenhouses and conservatories, connected by winding bridges and crossings.
Such abundant landscaping and the presence of enough water bodies will help reduce the temperature, while also becoming an ideal habitat for insects and birds (water and food are guaranteed). In order to provide sufficient irrigation for all this splendor, we provided for the installation of rainwater collection and treatment systems, and did not forget about the reuse of resources.
It is not only natural resources that will help provide a comfortable microclimate in Shenzhen Terraces. Terraces will also serve several functions: large awnings will protect visitors from the hot sun while offering seating. They will also be ideal places for plants, fountains and small pools, which in turn will help cool outdoor areas and create a favorable climate barrier for indoor spaces. But canopies in the form of mushrooms will provide shade on open areas and green lawns, protect from rain and become an additional decoration of the territory.
It should be noted that the main link of the educational center with the public area and commercial facilities will be the library located in the center of the largest building. Its terraces with fanciful curves form an atrium where bridges from different buildings converge, between which there is a place for reading books, socializing and having a snack. The same building houses the Centers for Youth Activities and Youth Entrepreneurship, but on the open terraces you can even find a “book park”.
It is assumed that the garden city, designed taking into account sustainable development and greening of urban areas, will become a multipurpose facility. The Shenzhen Terraces project, in addition to academic buildings, gyms and a library intended for university education, includes a theater, museum, conference center, retail and catering facilities.
I would like to hope that the implemented project will really delight students and citizens. At the same time, the variety of vegetation and living creatures will always be under control and will not cause the whole block to turn into an abandoned building, as happened with a residential complex of 8 skyscrapers. which, instead of a fantastic vertical forest, are now hell for residents.