Shenzhen Mangrove Wetland Museum

Like a ​‘hide’ for observing bird life, our concept for this wetland museum delicately balances architecture and nature.

The Shenzhen Mangrove Wetland Museum’s unique site serves as an important ecological link between the diverse coastal habitats of Shenzhen Bay. It also raises awareness of the need to protect the bay and its wildlife, including more than 100,000 migratory birds. 

Our proposal for the new museum imagines a building that sits lightly on the landscape, with a two-axis design offering outlooks to mountain and sea (north-south), parkland and city (east-west).

Most importantly, it’s a place that’s in harmony with the wetland’s ecosystem, becoming a natural part of this living, breathing ​‘exhibition’ space. 

The carefully considered design, orientation and positioning result in a museum perched above its surroundings, with glimpses of wetland birds in the shallows, mangroves just beyond them and migratory birds over the bay in the distance.

A terraced amphitheatre and east-west promenade at the mangrove’s edge extend the viewing area, while the promenade also acts as a protective buffer for the fragile ecosystem.

In addition, our proposal expands the green landscape and creates a rich, new habitat – more than 120,000sqm of marshland, wet meadows and open water.