Shenzhen Social: A Comprehensive Social Welfare Center

Designing a Bright and Spacious Haven for Children and the Elderly

The Shenzhen Social Welfare Center is the largest of its kind in Shenzhen, covering an expansive area of 32,269 square meters. It houses separate buildings for children and the elderly, allowing them to maintain their independence while sharing essential resources. The buildings, facing south, can be divided or connected through corridors, providing flexibility and convenience.

One of the key strengths of this design is its adherence to Lingnan architectural features. The multi-story buildings are constructed with a courtyard combination, embodying the artistic conception of Lingnan. The use of red brick adds an elegant and simple touch to the overall design, creating a bright, spacious, and warm architectural hue. The emphasis on good ventilation ensures a comfortable and healthy environment for the residents.

The Shenzhen Social Welfare Center is not only visually appealing but also highly functional. The design takes into account the unique needs of both children and the elderly. The buildings are strategically positioned along the north-south axis, with corridors connecting them. This layout allows for easy access to the medical building, which sits at the center, ensuring convenient healthcare services for both groups.

From a technical standpoint, the Shenzhen Social Welfare Center is a marvel of engineering. Each building operates independently while remaining connected, allowing for seamless functional transitions. The traffic circulation route follows the principle of "separation of people and vehicles," ensuring safety and convenience. The main structure utilizes an ordinary reinforced concrete frame, with a column network size between 7-9 meters. The roof features an ordinary reinforced concrete floor system with cast-on-site beams.

The specifications of the Shenzhen Social Welfare Center are impressive. With a gross floor area of 44,861 square meters and a floor area ratio of 0.94, this facility provides ample space for its residents. The center consists of six above-ground floors and one underground floor, reaching a height of 22.26 meters. It has a fire safety rating of Class A, ensuring the utmost safety for its occupants.

The design team behind the Shenzhen Social Welfare Center, led by Zhong Zhong and Zhong Botao, conducted extensive research to create a facility that meets the needs of orphaned and disabled children as well as the elderly. The project has received recognition and accolades, including the 2nd Shenzhen Architectural Creation Award in 2016 and the 4th Shenzhen Architectural Design Award in 2018.

Overcoming the challenges presented by the design brief, the Shenzhen Social Welfare Center successfully balances cost control, Lingnan architectural features, and a welcoming environment. It prioritizes functionality and integration with the surrounding city and environment, rather than relying on extravagant forms or unique materials.

The completion of the Shenzhen Social Welfare Center in December 2016 marked a significant milestone in providing care and support for vulnerable members of society. This comprehensive facility serves as a testament to the power of thoughtful design in improving the quality of life for all.

Image Credits: Zhang Chao

Awards and Accolades: The Shenzhen Social Welfare Center was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the A' Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category in 2021. This prestigious award recognizes designs that exhibit outstanding creativity, technical skill, and contribute to improving the quality of life.