The Nanshan Cultural Centre in Shenzhen was delivered under ZDA’s lead design coordination, in collaboration with local Chinese partners. This internationally significant development established a new cultural, sports and leisure centre for Nanshan District and, in terms of scale and complexity, ranks among the most substantial Asian projects led by a Hungarian architectural practice.

The development was conceived as a new urban ensemble organised around an existing library building. The cultural centre includes two auditoria, spaces suitable for opera and children’s theatre, a contemporary art museum, an open-air theatre and a sports complex. The main urban square formed between the buildings, featuring an outdoor stage and a large sculptural fountain of bespoke design, has become a new public gathering place for the district.

The multifunctional main auditorium of the Cultural Centre was designed to accommodate a broad range of performances, from drama and musical theatre to concerts and gala events. Its adjustable stage dimensions, adaptable acoustic environment and fully retractable ceiling above the auditorium provide exceptional operational flexibility. With its dynamically undulating balconies, solid timber finishes and movable acoustic elements, the hall has become one of China’s most outstandingly equipped theatre venues.

The entrance foyer opens towards the urban square as a generous, full-height space extending across all levels of the building. The auditoria are enclosed by tilted and curved red and blue wall surfaces inspired by the masks of Chinese opera, around which white circulation bands appear to weave. The façade is wrapped in a metallic veil composed of individually designed aluminium elements, floating in front of the vivid red building volume and creating a distinctive urban presence, particularly when illuminated at night.

ZDA also developed the architectural, technical and interior design concept for the museum. Different exhibition formats—from major international exhibitions to traditional Chinese folk art—were assigned spaces of distinct character, linked by a foyer zone that can also function as an event venue. ZDA coordinated the programming, functional planning and technical preparation of the entire complex through the design development phase, and subsequently worked with its Chinese partners to oversee the key architectural details during implementation.