THE QIANHAI MAWAN MILE
05 Apr 2018
HASSELL has been appointed as the design partner for the development of an innovative new business district for Shenzhen in China. The Qianhai Mawan Mile will stretch over 1.6kms, combining a range of parklands, cultural centres, entertainment precincts, integrated public spaces and a Skydeck that will weave through the new space.
The new district promotes Shenzhen as a “gateway city” for china and will attract young residents to a central location that encourages wellbeing by combining the “lush parklands, new cultural buildings, and a meandering skydeck”. “This project is designed to engage people – particularly the young, mobile residents of this fast-changing area – and promote better health and social connections,” commented HASSELL.
The district plans consist of four separated but integrated layers: neighbourhood zones both above and below ground, a park that stretches for the length of the entire complex, three pavilion buildings, and the Skydeck.
In order to encourage promoting wellbeing in residents, a wide range of activities will take place at the precinct that feature heavily on the idea of rest and relaxation. “In the neighbourhood zones, landscape infrastructure encourages people to slow down and relax – and catch up with friends and family,” state HASSELL. The area features beautiful gardens, intended for “quiet reflection”, playspaces for children that include waterplay structures, exercise spaces, and a range of piazzas that will include cafes, restaurants and art installations.
An entertainment and retail district will be included in a sunken semi-outdoor space below the Skydeck. the combination of these recreation spaces separated from the primary retail centre seeks to offer a “counterpoint to streets dominated by retail” and provide separation for the people between leisure and consumerism.
The Skydeck is the key feature of the new urban project, described as a “boulevard in the sky”. A striking structure bordered by lush greenery, it will act as the primary thoroughfare for pedestrians, branching off along the path to connect to the surrounding buildings, public transport stations and street network. The deck will feature a jogging and cycling path and plenty of space for pedestrians to walk in order to promote “Exercise and wellbeing”, the primary focus of the project.
A new cultural district will feature at the southern end of the urban complex, comprising of three pavilions called M3 Place, which will feature a headquarters building, a public exhibition hall, a multi-use cultural building. “Each [pavilion] responds to its unique site and purpose while still expressing a common architectural language that’s in sync with this distinctive, fully integrated urban destination,” explained HASSELL. M3 Place is an integral feature of the park as it includes outdoor event spaces and a selection of art plazas and will be personally designed by the team at HASSELL.
As the Mawan site is the only location in Qianhai that has multiple metro stations and highspeed rail, it was imperative that HASSELL’s design focused on “continuity at the underground, ground, and upper levels, ensuring pedestrians have priority and the public spaces face minimal disruptions from traffic and other infrastructure”. The design concept is aimed to actively encourage visitors and residents to meaningfully engage with the public space on a personal level and not rely on consumerism for enjoyment or own forms of transport to navigate the area.
“We are working with both China Merchants and the government authorities now to further develop the scheme,” concluded HASSELL Principal, Dennis Ho in a statement. “We know that it will change and what we proposed during the competition stage is a starting point, and we’re looking forward to the design process together with our key stakeholders.”