Have you ever seen a location that resembles the microscopic sight of a human cell? Well, before this, neither did I!
China, a land of contrasts and cultural richness, never ceases to amaze with its bizarre landscapes and dynamic cities. The country manages to keep many places a well-kept secret, but we’ll spill the beans!
One such gem tucked away in the southeastern region is the OCT OH Bay. Situated between towering buildings and the majestic waters of the South China Sea, this destination blends natural beauty and modern innovation.
| When words like- “Bao’an OCT OH Bay breathes life into China’s first economic zone” are used for a place. It is only wise to say that you should know you will be reading about an amazing location with a mesmerising rizz! |
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Laguarda Low Architects has developed this 430000 m² business and retail park in the district of Bao’an, China. This ‘Amoeba-like’ architectural marvel is a popular location that boasts entertainment, commercial space, restaurants, and natural trails.
Just when you thought you’d seen it all, prepare to be proven delightfully wrong.
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The Genesis of OCT OH Bay
The thriving city of Shenzhen is not just a marvel of modern architecture; it’s a testament to the power of proptech. Who needs urban planning when you’ve got fancy tech jargon, right?
But revolutionising how we interact with our surroundings, the master plan of OCT Bao’an Oh Bay consists of a 128-acre park offering commercial and cultural space to grow.
They know how to go big, whether it’s their population or architecture!
The 1,320-yard waterfront site features the East and West Waterfront Retail Parks, the Urban Business Centre, and the Cultural Park. Since its opening in February 2021, everyone has had access to data regarding their energy consumption, water usage, and overall environmental impact. This transparency encourages responsible living and paves the way for future innovations in sustainable urban development.
Let’s Not Forget Sustainability
| DID YOU KNOW? Another fun fact about this place is that it is sustainable! |
Greta Thunberg will be pleased about this!
Laguarda Low Architects has developed this 430000 m² business and retail park in the district of Bao’an, China. This hub of mixed objectives acts as an ecological blanket that boasts cemented edifices, green spaces, and canopies (that help limit solar heat gain), collects rainwater, and acts as a background for the harbour. Putting one step ahead in defining the future of Shenzhen.
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The strategic green belt that traverses through the blocks on the east and west banks showcases water and plantation features naturally melded into the architecture.
Ecological roofs, green balconies, and awnings help create air ducts that keep the lanes cold and reduce the urban heat island effect. Clearly, it’s a masterclass in combating urban heat – who needs a tropical vacation?
Natural lighting is encouraged by using skylights, patios, and solar panels to obtain energy at night. Because who needs the moon when you’ve got skylights? The aerodynamic shape and vertical gardens are devised to improve wind pressure and thermal pressure ventilation. High ceilings, operable windows, and high-energy, low-speed fans ensure optimal air circulation.
Sights to See & Mysteries that Await!
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I don’t plan to flutter the dovecotes, but OCT OH BAY sets a precedent for prospective growth.
The Coolest Bookstore in Oh Bay
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It would have been a shame if, as a writer, I hadn’t mentioned the one famous attraction of that place, a bookstore.
A Kaleidoscope of Books, one surreal location, is presumably the biggest bookstore in Shenzhen, located inside Huanle Haibin Cultural Park, second-floor, Oh Bay Mall in Bao’an.
Enjoy a cup of coffee while reading a book in this spiral bookstore.
The only sad part is that most of the books are in Mandarin, with a small section in English that mostly consists of dictionaries and encyclopaedias. If you don’t understand Mandarin, then, it’s on you!
East Waterfront Retail Park
The East Waterfront Retail Park is spread across 35,000 sq. m. It comprises three-story buildings in the form of multiple pebbles arranged organically along an elaborate south-facing waterfront park. The permeable nature of this project attracts a zillion visitors to this outdoor waterfront retail environment, offering a smooth amalgamation of shopping, dining, drink stations, and office spaces set perfectly in a natural setting.
The sunken plaza helps accommodate performances, events, exhibitions, and gatherings. It is also a fruition point, providing easy access from the subway and the gateway to the waterfront park, taking you through a cascading water garden. It’s practically a red-carpet experience.
The ocean view from a rooftop sounds so peaceful, doesn’t it?
Now imagine seizing a moment there. Sigh! Standing here!
The view is something, but there is also a flower garden, a sculpture garden, a performance terrace, and a running trail. So, the trail floats over the retail zone, giving enthusiasts a thrilling experience with a 360-degree view of the harbour.
(I hope there are safety nets on the running trail!)
They took every concept from ‘shopping’ to ‘drinks stations’ and thought, ‘Why not throw it all together in one giant natural mishmash?’ Genius!
Urban Business Centre
The business centre is in the middle of the subway station, and the retail centre is across the street from the north side of the East Waterfront Retail Park. It boasts four edifices with ocean views.
Maybe people working there don’t complain about the office like others…Just MAYBE!
With a full-dimension landscape of the panoramic bay, the sky garden adds a sense of natural surroundings to the office, meeting the LEED-ND Gold pre-certification.
Bay Glory Ferris Wheel
Visitors will enjoy the breathtaking view of the Giant Ferris Wheel + Seaview + Nature while dining in open-air bars and restaurants on the terraces of the Harbour Bay mall, especially at night.
AH! I can only imagine this from my office desk, glancing at the images. *cries in corporate*
Families can enjoy the B. Duck mini amusement area with rides, games, and delicious street food. At night, the rainbow bridge transforms into a captivating sight.
Don’t forget to try the delightful cotton candy from a vending machine!
ABCD Market provides food and drinks in charming camping tents adorned with fairy lights for a snug getaway. This spot, next to the Marriott Hotel Bao’an, promises an enchanting evening experience that’s not to be missed.
International Admiration
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This project is a stellar amalgamation of nature and urban life in a way that people can only imagine. The master project of OCT OH BAY, Bao’an Shenzhen, won the first position in the ArchDaily China Architecture of the Year Award for 2022.
Designed by Laguarda Low Architects, OCT Bao’an OH BAY revolutionises the meaning of ‘park,’ fully blending the natural habitat with an urban intrusion. This new high-quality lifestyle centre creates a place to live, work, and play with cutting-edge technology, including numerous sustainable green energy systems. They’ve even managed to sprinkle public spaces around like confetti – plazas, promenades, bosques, and lawns. Seamless really.
Founded in Paris, France, the capital of art, the DNA Paris Design Awards is an honour for the work of international architects and designers who enhance our day-to-day lives with impeccable, innovative architectural designs. A jury of experts and luminaries ranks all submissions. The committee consists of designers, editors, and creatives devoted to true excellence in design.
These folks eat, sleep, and breathe “true excellence in design” naturally.
Future of OCT OH BAY!
It’s time to clock out, but the features and amenities of this location just won’t end! Help!
A structure only stands out when it consists of features like no other. OCT OH BAY has made an international mark for sustainability and boasts several ecological attributes.
From exploring the lands of the polar bears to scaling east to west, which will make a standout, we’ll definitely cover that, bringing you information like no other!
Now, accommodating all this in one place seems impossible, but you just read about it! So, it is true-to-life because Square Yards only states the facts.
If you’d like to read about more awe-striking locations worldwide, you should visit us at www.squareyards.com.
