The Tencent campus is the centrepiece of the tech-focused development that is rapidly coming to define Qianhai bay, to the west of Shenzhen. The campus masterplan designed by NBBJ occupies a narrow peninsula at the mouth of the bay, providing the conditions for a large yet relatively self-contained campus following cutting-edge smart city ideas.

Located at the northern end of the campus, MVRDV’s design emphasises equality between residents: all units are identical in size and layout, with each providing a balcony or bay window to its occupant.

With its many public spaces and amenities, the project acts as an introduction to life at Tencent, providing ample opportunities for residents to connect with their neighbours and form friendships. At ground level, the courtyards offer residents large, forested green spaces to relax in as part of a green corridor that extends throughout the NBBJ masterplan. Two pedestrian streets cut through the site, supplementing these outdoor spaces with spaces for sports facilities and leisure amenities. Inside, the ground level of the buildings hosts a variety of shared amenities for residents. Large, multi-floor breakout spaces puncture the towers’ façades at a variety of levels, allowing residents to gather with others who live in the same part of the building and breaking the development into a number of smaller “neighbourhoods”.