Architects: People’s Architecture Office
Year: 2020
Photography: Chao Zhang, Courtesy of PAO
Project Team: James Shen, He Zhe, Zang Feng, Wang He, Gao Pengfei, Li Zhenghua, Xu Jiaqi
Collaborators: Dongxiying Studio, CCDI
Client: 2020 Qianhai Future Urbanism/Architecture Exhibition
City: Shenzhen
Country: China
The Qianhai Floating City designed by People’s Architecture Office in Shenzhen, China, is a flexible scaffolding structure created during the pandemic in 2020. Part of the Qianhai Future Urbanism Exhibition, it hosted public events and promoted bottom-up city planning, offering visitors colorful pathways to explore art and urban space.
The installation activates an unused site in Shenzhen using an open spatial framework. Conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic, the project reflects how urban spaces can quickly adapt to changing needs during times of uncertainty.
The project features a flexible framework made of rented scaffolding. This structural system is designed for easy construction, modification, and disassembly, producing no waste.
The Qianhai Floating City was part of the “Instant City” section at the 2020 Qianhai Future Urbanism/Architecture Exhibition. This exhibition explored innovative city planning models based on public participation and grassroots practices, offering an alternative to the top-down urban planning typical in Shenzhen.
The design resulted from collective discussions between the exhibition participants. The structure accommodated various shifting programs, including film screenings, lectures, workshops, and public events.
Visitors could navigate the colorful pathways of the Floating City to engage with embedded artwork. The three-dimensional grid allowed guests to explore the space and enjoy expansive views of the surrounding city.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
