The Yidan Center project, located in Shenzhen, China, and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, has entered a new phase of construction as it reaches the topped-out stage. Set to become the headquarters of the Chen Yidan Foundation and the Yidan Prize, this center creates an unprecedented opportunity for advancing education, research, and innovation on an international scale.
The architectural form of this project is inspired by the region’s natural landscapes; the building emerges like a valley within the urban fabric of Shenzhen. At the heart of the project, an open and flowing space is designed, with floors and terraces appearing to rise directly from the valley itself. This design enhances visual and spatial connections between users, the cityscape, and the surrounding nature, redefining the learning experience as a dynamic and social process.
The complex spans approximately 165,815 square meters and is strategically located adjacent to Shenzhen’s cultural district. The building includes multifunctional spaces for research, education, exhibitions, public events, and foundation activities. Notably, a portion of the project is dedicated to the lifelong learning community “YiPai”, designed to accommodate users of varying ages and backgrounds, reflecting a strong focus on flexibility and inclusive education.
In terms of functionality, the Yidan Center is not merely an educational building but a cultural and research hub. Its program combines workshops, lectures, collaborative creative spaces, and interactions between educational and public areas, transforming the complex into a space that goes beyond the traditional academic environment. As a result, Shenzhen emerges not only as a technology-driven city but also as a center of cultural and educational innovation.
From an urban perspective, the Yidan Center represents a new generation of educational and cultural spaces in Asia, where architecture, technology, nature, and society converge. As construction progresses, the project marks a significant step toward redefining the concept of a “learning space,” demonstrating that a building is no longer merely a container for function but an active platform for experience, interaction, and global transformation.
From an urban perspective, the Yidan Center represents a new generation of educational and cultural spaces in Asia, where architecture, technology, nature, and society converge. As construction progresses, the project marks a significant step toward redefining the concept of a “learning space,” demonstrating that a building is no longer merely a container for function but an active platform for experience, interaction, and global transformation.