MVRDV recently unveiled a new urban regeneration plan in Qianhai Bay, in Shenzen, heart of the “Chinese Silicon Valley”, comprising a series of residential high-rises. The project – part of a larger “smart city” development developed by Tencent – was created with the intention of providing housing for employees working in the city, going against the housing supply crisis that now stalks all metropolises.

“By contributing to Tencent’s smart city, we want to show that smart cities are also healthy, green and social cities,” said Winy Maas, founding partner of MVRDV. “The focus in smart cities is always on technology, and our design of Tencent's residential complex certainly includes it, but in our conception the technological aspects are inseparable from the social spaces, the green courtyards, the terraces - technology goes hand in hand with humans.”

The buildings, ranging in height from 57 to 100 meters, will all have apartments of equal size with views of the sea to the west and the bay to the east. In connection between the architecture, green courtyards and other neighborhood-scale mineral public spaces, where future tenants will be able to connect, were subsequently designed. Pedestrian paths through the complex will provide additional outdoor space populated by sports and recreational activities.

There will also be additional common spaces on the ground floors of the residential buildings, in harmony with the multi-level balconies that will punctuate the facades. The daycare center adjacent to the residential complex will also be organized around its own courtyard. It will consist of a series of block buildings with rooftop gardens, connected by corridors and walkways.