A visitor observes design photos of the new Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum at the “A City of Percipience” exhibition.

The opening of the Shenzhen Art Museum’s new venue and the Shenzhen Library’s north venue in Longhua District last month drew large crowds of visitors, who came not only to experience dazzling art exhibitions, but also to admire the architecture of the two new cultural landmarks.

Now visitors can explore the design concepts and architectural features of some of the city’s new cultural landmarks at the “A City of Percipience: Creativity and Construction of New Cultural Facilities” exhibition at the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning.

The exhibited projects include the Shenzhen Natural History Museum in Pingshan District, the new Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum in Guangming District, the Shenzhen Art Museum’s new venue and the Shenzhen Library’s north venue in Longhua District, and the Shenzhen Bay Culture Plaza in Nanshan District. Projects by students of the Shenzhen University’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning are also showcased.

Through displaying architectural models, drawings, photos and videos, the exhibition narrates how cultural facilities in Shenzhen in this new era have been adapting to people’s diverse demands for cultural and urban life. It also delves into how architectural design can enhance people’s experience of exploring public spaces.

For example, the Shenzhen Art Museum’s new venue and the Shenzhen Library’s north venue are linked by a public square, allowing people to move between the two venues freely. For the Shenzhen Natural History Museum, the winding roof not only provides a sustainable natural ecosystem but also serves as a space for science popularization. The vegetation on the roof maintains a healthy water cycle and regulates local temperature and micro climates in the Yanzi Lake area in Pingshan.

At the Shenzhen Bay Culture Plaza, the exhibition halls, public education spaces, cafés, shops, and a library will be built on the ground floor, while the expansive roof will be planted with greenery, creating a connection to the ground and forming a park for the public. Besides being a waterfront public space, it will also function as an outdoor performance venue, marketplace and exhibition space.

In late 2018, Shenzhen unveiled its plan to construct 10 new cultural facilities, aligning with the city’s ambition to emerge as a world-class metropolis. These facilities, designed by top-tier architectural firms, embrace intelligent and sustainable practices through advanced technologies. They aim to be diverse, inclusive and convenient for the public and local communities.

According to AEA Consulting’s 2020 Cultural Infrastructure Index, Shenzhen was a focal point for infrastructure spending in the cultural sector, with seven projects ranking among the world’s top 13 in terms of value in 2020. By the end of 2023, Shenzhen already has 61 museums across its various districts and the city plans to build an additional 150 cultural buildings by 2030.

Dates: Through May 5, 2024

Tickets: Free

Reservations: WeChat account “深圳市當代藝術與城市規劃館”

Venue: Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, Futian District (深圳市當代藝術與城市規劃館)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宮站), Exit A2