Phase Two of Shenzhen Bay MixC opens with nature-inspired design by Grant Associates
Phase Two of Shenzhen Bay MixC opens with nature-inspired design by Grant Associates
The latest phase of Shenzhen Bay MixC, a major new cultural and commercial destination in Shenzhen’s Houhai district, has officially opened, unveiling a landscape design by Grant Associates, the international award-winning landscape architecture practice known for pioneering nature-inspired public realm.
Working alongside developer China Resources Land and architects The Oval Partnership Ltd, Grant Associates led the landscape design through the planning and documentation stages, contributing to the transformation of Shenzhen’s “Silicon Valley” into a vibrant cultural hub that prioritises nature and community experiences.
At the heart of the design is the concept of lichens, unique hybrid organisms found in everyday environments. As symbols of resilience and symbiosis, lichens inspired the project’s spatial identity, shaping patterns woven into plazas, pathways, and courtyards. This design language celebrates often overlooked aspects of nature while inviting Shenzhen’s residents and visitors to experience their urban environment in new and imaginative ways.
“Our ambition was to create a ‘slowscape’, a landscape that encourages people to pause, explore and reconnect with nature in the midst of Shenzhen’s fast-paced urban life. It seeks to bring the beauty of overlooked natural forms into the heart of Shenzhen, creating spaces that are not only vibrant and playful but also ecologically meaningful. By using lichens as our inspiration, we aimed to foster a deeper connection between people, place, and nature in this dynamic city.”
Shenzhen Bay Culture Park features two distinct zones that are unified by a network of interconnected landscape layers and features. The Cultural Green Valleys offer green spaces with vibrant retail experiences below ground, while Urban Lounges are lively social courtyards within retail podiums featuring lush planting and distinctive lichen-patterned pavements. The towers are crowned with roof gardens, creating vertical green oases that extend urban ecology skywards.
A signature feature is the 1km-long Elevated Walkway, a bold piece of green infrastructure that has become an icon of the Shenzhen Bay MixC masterplan. Designed as both infrastructure and experience, the distinctive walkway integrates rest areas, planters and viewing decks, providing seamless connections between transport hubs, retail environments, and cultural venues. This multi-level connection blurs the boundaries between architecture and landscape, forming a continuous tapestry of landmarks and public spaces that enrich visitor experiences while enhancing connectivity across the district.
Reflecting Shenzhen’s reputation as a garden city, the planting strategy draws inspiration from the region’s natural character, capturing the city’s vibrant botanical palette and supporting urban biodiversity.
At night, the walkway comes alive with dynamic lighting and digital displays, transforming into a platform for fashion shows, sculpture exhibitions, and cultural events, reinforcing Shenzhen Bay MixC as a new civic and cultural landmark.
Blending ecological inspiration with innovative placemaking, Shenzhen Bay Mix C Phase II sets a new benchmark for mixed-use destinations in China.
Guided by a commitment to ecology and imagination, Grant Associates works to reconnect people with nature while addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss and urbanisation.
Photo credit: Liang Shi Yu