MVRDV’s design for the densification and development of a cultural district at the heart of East Shenzhen proposes a mountain like volume as a new cultural hub to compliment the city’s existing financial, industrial and historical centres. The masterplan and accompanying exhibition aim to transform the area of former warehouses into a highly visible, architecturally unique, and visually cohesive district focussed on the arts.

Shenzhen is the world’s youngest industrial city (1985) and the fastest growing city of China. Shenzhen is the quintessential city of today. The city is moving from an industrial city to a cultural city. Industry is substituted by businesses, housing and theme parks. What is the next step in this process? Can East Shenzhen move away from the many tired theme parks which surround it towards a place of cultural production? Can Shenzhen become the most important cultural city in Asia? How can the city’s industrial heritage transform into a contemporary cultural centre?

The new Shenzhen Cultural District (SCD) is a mountain like volume. The SCD as a district is a landmark for Shenzhen. The roof-scape of this mountain becomes SCD Park. One can challenge this mountain and climb the 180 meter high peak and finally reach B10OCT Contemporary Art Museums! There is a lively world of culture below this. A canyon-like street-scape is the ideal cultural public space. It is spacious and shaded. It is activated by a new plinth. And it provides a unique, cohesive environment for cultural development in Shenzhen.