THE city is currently seeking global architecture design submissions for the Shenzhen Maritime Museum, one of the city’s 10 new cultural facilities, according to an announcement issued jointly by the Shenzhen Planning and Natural Resources Bureau and the Shenzhen Public Works Bureau.

The construction of the museum, which will cover 57,700 square meters, is also part of the project to build Shenzhen into a global marine central city.

The site of the museum is located in the Xinda area of Dapeng Peninsula. The planned Shenzhen Maritime Museum borders Xindong Road in Nan’ao on the south, Qiniang Mountain on the east, the sea to the north, and recreational facilities on the west.

In the two weeks since the invitation for the design competition was unveiled April 29, the organizer has received entries from 118 design teams. A total of 15 teams or institutions will be selected for the final designs. The competition includes designs for the main hall with a construction area of 100,000 square meters, which is divided into functional areas such as display, storage, public service and education, marketing and research and administration. The construction area for the overwater portion of the project is about 8,000 square meters.

The museum is a comprehensive maritime museum integrating collection, research, display and popular science.

The museum will explore innovation in its operation, enhance the joyful experience and interactivity with visitors.

Through the combination of use of space, quality displays and functional services, it intends to create an immersive environment that will also include 3-D interactivity, simulations of the extreme environment of the poles and the latest technology for visitors to experience storm tides.

At the same time, the museum will develop a research program that combines exhibition, education and guided tours that enable visitors of different ages to learn about the oceans.

It will also work with research institutes to cooperate in coral reef conservation and wetland ecology restoration.

Based on the concept of merging the sea and the surrounding environment, the design of the museum stresses its connectivity and harmony with the surrounding mountains, seas, parks and coastal belts, showcasing its regional culture.

For more details, please log onto the official website, www.szdesigncenter.org, of Shenzhen Center for Design, contact 0755-83248464, or email to competition@szmaritimemuseum.com.  (Han Ximin)