Shenzhen

A new thin film, inspired by the vibrant colors of butterfly wings, could help passively cool cars and buildings

Materials

Vibrantly colored film could massively passively cool cars and buildings

Lighter colors are cooler than darker ones, which can limit the practical palette choices for your clothes, car or house. A new material, inspired by butterfly wings, can produce vibrant colors while reflecting 100% of light to keep them cooler.

The Qianhai Prisma Towers will consist of two skyscrapers: the taller building will reach a height of 300 m (984 ft) and host residential space, while the other will reach 250 m (820 ft) and contain office space

Architecture

Prismatic skyscrapers incorporate lush greenery from ground to top

Influential architecture firm the Bjarke Ingels Group has revealed a pair of eye-catching skyscrapers slated for Shenzhen, China. The buildings will feature shimmering prismatic forms that are broken up by lush greenery and taper as they rise.

DJI Sky City consists of two skyscrapers. The taller of the two rises to a height of 212 m (695.5 ft), while its counterpart reaches 194 m (636 ft)

Architecture

DJI reaches new heights with dramatically cantilevering skyscraper HQ

Foster + Partners has created a new headquarters for drone manufacturer DJI. The ambitious project consists of two adjacent skyscrapers that incorporate dramatically cantilevering sections and host offices, research areas, and drone test areas.

The Rural Commercial Bank Headquarters is described as a "breathing" building by architect SOM and it's designed to offer a pleasant interior environment filled with fresh air

Architecture

Skyscraper HQ provides office workers with a breath of fresh air

Described by architect SOM as a "breathing" building, the naturally ventilated Rural Commercial Bank Headquarters rises to a height of 158 m in Shenzhen, China, and is defined by an eye-catching exterior, which is used for support and shade.

The Shenzhen Skypark measures 1.2 km (roughly 0.75 miles) in length

Architecture

Huge Shenzhen rooftop transformed into elevated park

Shenzhen has rapidly grown from a fishing village to a megacity home to around 17 million. To help add a little greenery to the concrete megalopolis, Crossboundaries has turned a metro station roof into a large elevated park measuring 1.2 km long.

Idea Factory is located in Shenzhen, China, and involved the renovation of an old factory into an office space and public park

Architecture

Tired old factory transformed into modern office and public park

For its latest project, MVRDV turned a tired old factory in Shenzhen, China, into a bustling modern office. The building has been extended and modernized, and features a staircase running through it, offering access to a rooftop park.

The 3D-printed park measures 5,523 sq m (59,449 sq ft)

3D Printing

Robots 3D print park benches, flower beds and sculptures in world first

As 3D-printed construction becomes more common, it's being used for everything from housing to schools and bridges. Advanced Intelligent Construction Technology offers another use for the tech with what it says is the world's first 3D-printed park.

The People's Performing Arts Center is slated for Shenzhen, China, and is part of a development push in the area

Architecture

Shenzhen center will host performances in large golden eggs

Shenzhen isn't exactly lacking in eye-catching buildings, but a new performance center slated for the Chinese megacity is sure to make an impression thanks to its two performance spaces that look like a giant goose has laid golden eggs on the roof.

Hanking Center in Shenzhen, China, is the tallest detached-core skyscraper in the world and reaches a maximum height of 359.8 m (1,180 ft)

Architecture

Asymmetrical tower wears core on the outside to make more room inside

Rising to a height of 359.8 m, the Hanking Center stands out even in the skyscraper-packed Shenzhen, China, thanks to its extraordinary form. The asymmetrical tower is defined by a detached core that allows for greater flexibility inside.

Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport Terminal 4 will measure 400,000 sq m (roughly 4.3 million sq ft) and serve up to 31 million passengers a year

Architecture

Undulating airport terminal offers weary travelers an indoor garden

Travelers to the planned Terminal 4 Bao'an International Airport will be able to enjoy an indoor garden the size of 40 tennis courts. Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, it's slated for Shenzhen, China.

The Shenzhen Institute of Design will be located on the outskirts of Shenzhen, China, and is part of a huge development push in the area

Architecture

Half-mile-long design institute to rise at the foot of Phoenix Mountain

Shenzhen, China, isn't exactly lacking in huge buildings but an ambitious new university is slated to measure 708 m long, or almost half a mile. The building will be topped by a green roof that hosts parks, sports grounds, and pathways.

One of AutoX's fully driverless Chrysler Pacificas ready to drive a member of the public around Shenzhen

Automotive

AutoX opens up fully driverless RoboTaxi service to Shenzhen public

After partnering with Alibaba for a ride-haling robo taxi service with a safety driver aboard in 2020, AutoX went on to launch the first fully driverless pilot in Shenzhen last month. Now the company has opened that up to members of the public.