A nine-storey building shaped like a river pebble now sits on the bank of the Shenzhen River. It is the new huanggang port hub, the border crossing between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and it opened earlier this month.
Architecture studio Aedas designed the New Huanggang Port Development. It replaces the original Huanggang Port, which first opened between the two cities in 1989.
Aedas describes the project as a “large-scale integrated hub”. The complex combines border control and transport networks with 25,000 square metres of public space.
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The stacked volume is wrapped in a “flowing facade” of horizontal metal fins. Its rounded form echoes the riverside site, and the studio says it evokes a pebble resting on the bank.
Form and facade
“The grounded, rounded form responds to the building’s large scale and waterfront setting, evoking a pebble resting on the banks of the Shenzhen River,” Aedas told Dezeen.
“Flowing metal fins wrap the elevation like ribbons, reinforcing the building’s fluid appearance and symbolising the close connection between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.”
“Integrated transport networks, flowing facade and welcoming civic spaces express the close relationship between the two cities while establishing a distinctive point of arrival,” the studio added.
A modular, prefabricated approach built the volume. The building opens at ground level through two sunken plazas and is topped by a roof terrace covered in solar panels.
On all four elevations, the horizontal fins lift away to form large glass curtain walls. The glass pulls daylight deep into the interior.
Inside, the transport, immigration and public programmes stack vertically, making the building a true transport hub. A network of internal escalators links the floors.
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Moving passengers through the huanggang port hub
The crossing expects an average of 200,000 passengers per day. Two floors hold immigration halls with a “barrier-free” design.
Floors below connect directly to four of Shenzhen’s rail and metro lines. Aedas says this arrangement is meant to “support a seamless border-crossing journey”.
Arched structural columns divide the expansive interiors. Their form draws on Shenzhen’s emblem flower, the bougainvillea.
The interiors receive light from 73 roof skylights, facade openings and an integrated lighting system.
“Transport, immigration and public programmes are vertically organised under one roof,” the studio said. Stacking the functions lets the building separate pedestrian and vehicle flows on a constrained site, while keeping the programmes connected.
For travellers passing through this border crossing building each day, the real measure of the design is simple. It is how quickly a train passenger reaches a passport check, and how clearly the path is marked from platform to gate.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the New Huanggang Port Development in Shenzhen?
Architecture studio Aedas designed the New Huanggang Port Development. It replaces the original Huanggang Port, which first opened between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in 1989.
How many passengers does the new Huanggang Port hub handle each day?
The crossing expects an average of 200,000 passengers per day. The complex also includes 25,000 square metres of public space.
Why is the new Huanggang Port building shaped like a pebble?
Its rounded form responds to the building’s large scale and riverside location on the Shenzhen River. Aedas says it evokes a pebble resting on the riverbank.
Which transport lines connect to the new Huanggang Port hub?
Floors below the immigration halls connect directly to four of Shenzhen’s rail and metro lines. This arrangement is meant to support a seamless border-crossing journey.
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