Project Location: Houhai Central District, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China (adjacent to Shenzhen Bay Talent Park)
Project Type: Cultural complex (Shenzhen Creative Design Museum + Shenzhen Science & Technology Life Museum)
GETO Services: Comprehensive irregular curved structure services (construction scheme, model detailing, technical consulting, concrete mix design, labour + material specialist subcontracting)
GETO Products/Technologies: Fair-faced concrete formwork and so on
Project Overview
Shenzhen Bay Cultural Plaza is located in the Houhai Central District of Nanshan District, covering a site area of approximately 50,800 m² with a total gross floor area of about 188,000 m². It comprises a North Pavilion (Shenzhen Creative Design Museum, height 51m) and a South Pavilion (Shenzhen Science & Technology Life Museum, height 32m), designed by MAD Architects. Inspired by “boulders by the sea”, the project features eight stone‑shaped buildings named: Sheyun Stone, Yihong Stone, Wangyun Stone, Xuanyun Stone, Supporting Stone, Fushui Stone, Xianhai Stone, and Liuwen Stone. It aims to become a model of design and technology integration in Shenzhen and a cultural innovation hub in the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area.
As a listed company specialising in green prefabricated construction and new energy, GETO provided comprehensive services for the irregular curved structures as well as general irregular structures, and is responsible for the construction of three core “stones”: Xuanyun Stone, Wangyun Stone and Supporting Stone.
Project Characteristics
1. Large‑scale free‑form thin‑shell fair‑face concrete
The most striking feature of the project is the application of large‑scale free‑form thin‑shell fair‑face concrete. The three “stones” are irregular double‑curved shell structures with varying thicknesses: 300mm, 500mm, 700mm, 1200mm, and a gradual transition from 500mm to 1200mm. Among them, Xuanyun Stone has a maximum shell perimeter of 142 metres and requires monolithic casting. The reinforcement is double‑layer bidirectional on both faces, making shell thickness control extremely difficult.
2. Spatial double‑curved irregular structures
The three stones are interconnected in a complex manner: Supporting Stone connects to Xuanyun Stone via a core wall, transfer beams and locally thickened structures; Xuanyun Stone connects to Wangyun Stone via a core wall, a “neck‑ring” structure and supporting brackets. All structures are spatial double‑curved surfaces, rendering conventional construction methods inapplicable.
3. Fair‑face concrete monolithic finishing requirement
All embedded points must be formed in one go, with zero deviation in position and size. As there is no decorative layer on the curved surfaces, the concrete surface quality directly determines the final appearance. This imposes extremely high requirements on formwork precision, reinforcement positioning, casting techniques and curing measures.
4. Multi‑discipline and multi‑process interleaved construction
Given the enormous volume of free‑form shell structures, various trades (civil, MEP, prestressing, etc.) must be highly coordinated. Process interleaving is complex, presenting a major challenge to construction organisation and management.
GETO Solution
1. Full‑process BIM + CNC digital fabrication
- 3D detailing: Using Rhino models to carry out 3D detailing of the spatial double‑curved irregular structures, completing the formwork and falsework design within the model.
- Automatic panel layout and CNC machining: The BIM team exported panel layout drawings from the 3D model, converted them into machine language via NC software, and imported them into CNC雕刻 machines for high‑precision automatic fabrication. Each panel was numbered.
- Prefabricated assembly: On‑site installation followed the 3D positioning drawings and assembly drawings, greatly reducing errors and deviations caused by manual work.
2. Self‑developed support system
To solve the problem of falsework uprights needing to bear on the shell surface, GETO developed an embedded bracket + cantilever channel steel corbel system, providing stable support points for the falsework uprights on the shell.
3. Fair‑face concrete special materials and techniques
- 5‑segment fair‑face concrete proprietary tension rods – ensuring effective tie‑rod action on curved walls without damaging the concrete surface.
- Fair‑face concrete proprietary Tyer phenolic plywood – guaranteeing uniform, flawless concrete surface texture.
- Extensive trials to determine the concrete mix design, ensuring consistent strength and colour.
4. Full‑process technical consulting and labour subcontracting
GETO provided a one‑stop service covering construction scheme, model detailing, technical consulting, concrete mix design, and labour + material specialist subcontracting. The project team provided on‑site guidance throughout, ensuring seamless integration between design and construction.
5. BIM + full‑discipline collaboration
Applying BIM and full‑discipline digital technologies, a “multi‑dimensional model” was built for the project, enabling seamless transition from design detailing to construction guidance and effectively solving the coordination difficulties of multi‑discipline, multi‑process interleaved construction.
Project Progress & Recognition
Construction commenced on August 26, 2020 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Upon completion, the plaza will become a cultural innovation hub in the Greater Bay Area and a model of design‑technology integration in Shenzhen.
Project Value
- Technical benchmark: The project is a rare large‑scale free‑form thin‑shell fair‑face concrete success story in China, representing the pinnacle of GETO’s capabilities in irregular curved structures.
- Full‑industry‑chain service capability: From scheme design, model detailing, CNC fabrication, material supply to labour subcontracting, GETO demonstrated comprehensive service coverage for irregular structure construction.
- Digital construction practice: The BIM+CNC+prefabricated assembly digital workflow provides a replicable, high‑precision construction paradigm for complex curved architecture.
- Brand influence: Helping create a world‑class cultural landmark in Shenzhen further consolidates GETO’s leading position in public cultural buildings and fair‑face concrete.
Leveraging the strong capabilities and brand influence of a listed company, along with years of experience in global expansion, extensive market coverage, and mature cross-border operational capabilities, GETO has established 12 major production bases worldwide and registered the “GETO®” international trademark in 32 countries and regions. Its products are sold to more than 60 countries and regions, including Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, South America, Australia, Europe, and North America, as well as Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. The company consistently adheres to its brand philosophy of “Set industry benchmark, create world-renowned brand,” and insists on the high standard of “benchmark demonstration projects” for every project. By delivering “high-quality” products and services, it provides comprehensive “1+N” system solutions for green, new, intelligent buildings, fully creating value for its customers.