Shenzhen is to get a world-class airport terminal and transportation hub inspired by a mangrove tree

GRIMSHAW Architects has won an international competition to design the new Shenzhen Airport East Integrated Transport Hub, while Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP) has won a competition to design the new terminal at the city’s Bao’an International Airport.

The Integrated Transport Hub will allow for transfers between high-speed rail and other modes of public transport to the airport, acting as an urban gateway to the Greater Bay Area of Shenzhen.

The design for the hub was inspired by the form of a mangrove tree.

“We are often inspired by the transfer of geometries and forms from nature into architecture. We have applied this approach to the masterplan and interchange design at Shenzhen Bao’an Airport, which is directly inspired by the mangrove,” Grimshaw partner Jolyon Brewis said in a press release.

Above : The design of the transportation hub is inspired by mangrove trees. Image courtesy of Grimshaw Architects.

“Not only does this have symbolic value as an important tree to Shenzhen, but it has led us to a solution for the building that is highly efficient. It will also be a wonderful place for people to occupy and travel through.

“We hope it will lift the spirits of millions of Shenzhen citizens, as well as those who visit this incredible city.”

The new terminal from RSHP will be able to accommodate 24 million international and 7 million domestic passengers a year.

The 400,000 square-metre building will be designed in collaboration with the China Northeast Architectural Design and Research Institute (CNADRI) and will be the anchor for a wider “airport city” development.

The terminal will also feature a 10,000 square-metre garden as well as other sustainable and green initiatives like rainwater harvesting.

“[The new terminal’s] design, with so many original innovative ideas, will definitely be a new benchmark for all future terminals,” said CNADRI’s principal Bingwen Ren in a press release.

Shenzhen is currently undergoing a radical architectural transformation, with several new cultural and science facilities being announced, supertall skyscrapers, and more.