Shenzhen Natural History Museum

This project was a competition and schematic design for a 100,000 m2 museum in Shenzhen, China. The undulating concept is inspired by the geology and landscape of the Pingshan river delta and Yanzi lake.

ROLE

GXN Research & Innovation Intern, 3XN Junior Designer

CLIENT

Chinese Ministry of Culture

DATE

Competition: May  - July 2020, Schematic Design: Nov 2020 - March 2021

TEAM

3XN/GXN Architects

A museum that blends seamlessly into the landscape of the Pingshan River delta 🐉

This project started as a competition among world-famous architecture firms for the 100,000 m2 Shenzhen Natural History Museum in China. Our winning design proposal takes inspiration from the surrounding landscape and incorporates a holistic sustainability strategy.

With GXN, I participated in the competition phase of the project, developing sustainable solutions to be integrated in the design. With 3XN, I helped further develop and detail the project which included doing various design studies, visualizations and space planning.

THE CHALLENGE

Designing a holistic museum that integrates surrounding nature, culture and well-being.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Using the landscape and integrating a sustainable mindset into the design.

Final view

Part 1 - Competition - GXN Research & Innovation Intern

Looking at the context

The project is located adjacent to the picturesque Yanzi Lake in the Pingshan District of Shenzhen, China.

Developing a strong concept

The Natural History Museum was meant to enhance the beauty of the landscape and act as a transition between the river delta and the city. 

Sustainability research

Our sustainability vision stems from a heavy research study of three key sources: the Sponge City concept goals, China Green Star certification and the UN Global goals.

After thoroughly analysing each of these sources, we summarized the key points that each of them individually targets and addressed them in our overall sustainability strategy.

Developing our sustainability strategy

Our strategy is driven by a threefold approach: circular design, health and wellbeing, and blue and green infrastructure. Each of these is subdivided into four focus points where we further explore their potential application in the overall design.

This diagram illustrates a general application of our sustainability strategy on both the building as well as the surrounding nature.

Zooming in on the applied sustainability strategy

We applied the threefold sustainability strategy to various elements of the design. From the façade to the interior spaces to the exterior nature loop and accessible roof garden, we created a holistic sustainability strategy that is integrated in the design of the building.

One aspect of our circular strategy proposes the use of locally-sourced and upcycled materials. These approaches connect the building with local nature while helping stimulate the local economy, reduce the environmental footprint for transportation as well as reduce energy consumption and waste.

Circular Strategy - Upcycled façade materials

Additionally, our design emphasizes flexible floor plans that allow multiple scenarios and configurations to occur. This adaptability within the exhibition spaces and its extension to the buffer zones becomes a responsive element that changes to meet the current and future needs of the various user groups. 

Circular Strategy - Flexible interior 

Our blue and green infrastructure incorporates smart pavilions that support and enhance the local biodiversity. These structures encourage moments of pause which helps raise awareness amongst users about the surrounding wetland and the significant role it plays in the ecosystem.

Social Orientation - Exterior loop interventions

The successful modern-day museum demands a strong online presence that is closely unified with the culture of the area. This works to engage users by facilitating conversation, participation, and co-creation, thereby forging deeper, lasting ties with the community.

Social Orientation - Digital community

Our water management approach employs four key interconnected zones that work to collect and reuse rainwater, mitigate the effects of stormwater flooding, relieve the sewer system, alleviate water handling costs and naturally replenish groundwater aquifers.

Integrated Nature - Water management

The [Rooftop] Botanical Garden will provide a publicly accessible and interactive park space that showcases the unique ecologies and history of the surrounding fauna and flora.

Integrated Nature - Green roof park

Part 2 - Schematic Design - Junior Designer

Interior lobby view

Exhibition circulation

The exhibition areas can be found in the interior "cones" of the building. The "corridors" are formed by the buffer areas between the exhibition spaces.

The exhibition areas are aligned in one continuous flow, but the organization of the exhibitions also offers multiple choices for visiting. It is easy for the visitor to go through the buffer zone and visit the exhibition of choice.

Exhibition flow

User circulation

Section perspective - Main lobby and core

The beginning of the exhibition flow starts in the lobby with a ramp to the underground floor. Uses can also access the exhibition levels through the central core that features elevators and stairs.

Exhibition start

Final plans

The plans below show the entire museum levels starting from the underground exhibition level, to the rooftop.

Interior cone flexibility

The interior "cone" exhibition space can be adapted to many different configurations that allow for flexibility. Below are some examples of how it can be subdivided into smaller spaces.

Interior cone exhibition

Design studies

A very important part of my role was in doing design studies of various areas of the museum in terms of materiality and details. This included the rooftop restaurant and how to make it indoor-outdoor accessible, visualizing the science and conservation labs, the cafe area and more.

Final exterior view

Final thoughts

Learnings

🌱 Understanding how to integrate sustainability into the design process.

Working with GXN during the competition phase, I learned to think in terms of sustainable design. The research we did helped us hone down our strategy which we then used to guide every design decision we made. This mindset allowed for design and sustainability to become seamlessly integrated into the project.

🛠 Developing and iterating on the design from competition to schematic & detail design. 

Since I was part of the competition phase, I had a comprehensive overview of the project. Therefore, in the schematic design phase with 3XN, I was able to quickly iterate and develop design studies that helped resolve details, materiality and space planning.

Next Steps

📌 Finalizing the details.

Since the project is so big, the design studies need to be finalized so that detailed drawings can be completed.

🫱 Handoff to local architects.

The collaborators include local architects in Shenzhen, who will take over for the construction phase of the project.

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