In Shatoujiao, right on the Shenzhen–Hong Kong border, a building is taking shape that has the potential to become one of the most recognisable landmarks in this part of the city. Bihailou Art Village, designed by the Dutch architectural practice MVRDV, is a multifunctional cultural and commercial centre whose architecture deliberately draws on the concept of a ‘vertical village’. Comprising colourful, irregular volumes, the structure creates a space of an unconventional scale – striking from a distance yet surprisingly intimate when experienced at ground level.
Architecture inspired by the local context
The project is based on the ‘Vertical Village’ concept, developed by The Why Factory and MVRDV in 2011. Its aim was to combine the density of modern metropolises with the diversity and individuality of traditional built environments. In Shenzhen, this idea was adapted for a cultural centre – instead of flats, ‘houses’ were created for various functions, ranging from dining to exhibition spaces. Each has been given its own colour, material and form, inspired both by the surrounding buildings and by the former Bihailou restaurant, which once stood on this site.
Bihailou Art Village serves as a multifunctional cultural and commercial centre, in which each part of the programme functions as an independent space. The double-height structure houses a theatre with a flexible seating arrangement,capable of transforming into an exhibition hall in a matter of moments. Shops and restaurants are planned for the smaller blocks, and one of the complex’s key institutions will be the Fish Lantern Museum, dedicated to the local heritage of Shatoujiao. The whole is complemented by publicly accessible walkways and viewing terraces, which create a three-dimensional public landscape accessible at any time of day.
The fragmented structure has made it possible to adapt the building’s scale to its surroundings, whilst giving each function a distinct identity. The theatre has been designed as a double-height space, with a flexible seating arrangement and large glazing that opens the interior onto the adjacent square. The smaller blocks house shops and restaurants, and one of them will be home to the Fish Lantern Museum – an institution dedicated to local cultural heritage.
An open space
Each ‘house’ has its own entrance, which means that the building’s circulation becomes part of the public space. Stairs, ramps and walkways are accessible around the clock, and moving between the different levels allows visitors to observe the city through the numerous gaps between the structures. Viewing terraces are planned on the roofs, offering panoramic views of the mountains, the bay and the cityscape.
Bihailou Art Village forms the focal point of the square, which plays an important role in the life of the neighbourhood. The design offers not only publicly accessible terraces but also covered spaces created by the protruding blocks – providing shelter from the sun and rain. The greenery surrounding the building has been designed to blend seamlessly with the existing layout of the square, strengthening the building’s connection with the local community.
design: MVRDV
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