Revitalizing Shenzhen: Aedas' C FutureCity

Aedas' Innovative Urban Renewal Project Transforms Shenzhen's Shangsha District

Aedas drew inspiration from the concept of 'pure simplicity' for the design of C FutureCity. The iconic twin towers are a testament to the 'Power of Two', designed to respond to site conditions and address the urban context. The design also takes inspiration from the constant flow of fluid on a landscape, using different materials at the podium with a rhythmic change of solid and transparency to convey a sense of revelation.

What sets C FutureCity apart is its transformative potential. Shangsha is an 'urban ghetto' in need of rejuvenation, and this project aims to change people's lives for the better. The Centralcon Shangsha mixed-use development is an urban renewal project that balances the needs of the client and the community, creating a unique and sustainable living environment.

The project is based on eight years of local real estate market research and includes a shopping mall, super-grade-A office spaces, a boutique hotel, and compact apartment units. The design also takes into consideration open space solar access, façade solar heat gain, and natural ventilation, optimizing the positioning of towers and the allocation of public nodes throughout the site.

Phase 1 of the project forms the gateway to the city, linking public spaces to adjacent metro stations to enhance 'connectivity'. Phase 2, located close to the Mangrove Nature Reserve area, is a smaller-scaled street-retailed development, respecting the original context. The development also preserves and transforms the ancestor temple and the Banyan Tree Plaza into a new cultural plaza, integrating retail pavilions with sunken plazas for a unique retail experience.

The project's location and timeframe were also crucial factors in its design. With two MTR lines crossing both sides of Future City and 35 public bus lines providing connections to Shenzhen Bay and Futian Station, the development is tightly connected with modern Shenzhen. The project's research was based on the rapid economic and urban development of Shenzhen, a major financial center in southern China.

The C FutureCity project by Aedas was awarded Silver in A' Construction and Real Estate Projects Design Award in 2020, a testament to its innovative design and transformative potential. This project is a shining example of how thoughtful design can rejuvenate urban spaces, paving the way for future generations.