Made Make Architects · CLIENT: Made Make Shenzhen Architectural Design and Consultant Co.Ltd
Shenzhen Vocational is an education park built on a hilly site in Shenzhen, China. Three schools are combined into one campus and share core facilities through corridors and underground links. The buildings follow the terrain in terraces, which reduces excavation and protects the natural setting. Green roofs, vertical planting systems, permeable paving and bioswales manage rainwater. Photovoltaic glass curtain walls and reservoir fed cooling systems lower energy use. The layout supports shared learning and ecological balance.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The project integrates architecture with topography, forming a three dimensional "mountain valley water" layout that cascades along the terrain, reducing excavation and preserving the natural environment. Three schools share core facilities through corridors and underground links, promoting efficient resource use. Inspired by Eastern philosophy, the design mimics water carved valleys with green roofs, achieving ecological harmony and cultural expression.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The layout follows natural valleys, maintaining an earthwork balance rate above 85%. Over 60% of hardscaping uses permeable materials, while rooftops offer 30% green coverage via vertical and modular systems. Photovoltaic panels and rainwater systems support on site energy and water cycles. Smart systems regulate building climate, enabling an eco campus that responds to both terrain and weather in a subtropical region.
- Tags
- Green Island College, Local Culture, Natural Symbiosis, Hyperchain Community, Multiple Compound, Habitat Mode
- Production Technology
- Eco friendly materials such as recycled stone, weathering steel, and vertical greening systems reduce environmental impact. Photovoltaic glass curtain walls and reservoir fed cooling systems improve energy efficiency. Elevated pile foundations and prefabricated steel structures adapt to the hilly site, while permeable pavements and bioswales create a sponge city campus that integrates sustainability and terrain adaptability.
- Design Challenge
- Key challenges included complex terrain, ecological sensitivity, and multi stakeholder coordination. Terraced building forms resolved topographic issues, while micropile foundations and radar monitoring addressed slope stability. Open maker spaces and shared facilities encouraged social interaction and vocational innovation. Strict ecological limits near the reservoir guided material choices and building height, balancing architectural ambition with environmental stewardship.
- Project Duration
- The project started in January 2024 in Shenzhen, China and finished in March 2025.
- Operation Flow
- The project emphasizes accuracy and coordination from concept to execution. Early collaboration with consultants ensured technical feasibility, while mid stage facade manuals clarified materials and construction logic. Late stage execution involved rigorous sample reviews and frequent site checks to ensure implementation quality. This structured workflow guaranteed that the campus achieved both technical precision and emotional resonance in its built form.
- Research
- This research driven design explored how to build a sustainable vocational campus within mountainous terrain. Methods included GIS analysis, field surveys, and cross disciplinary planning. Participants included education experts, ecologists, and engineers. Results show that shared infrastructure, low impact construction, and industry linked training hubs improve both environmental and operational performance. It sets a benchmark for future green vocational campuses in China and beyond.
- Inspiration
- Drawing from the wisdom of Lingnan traditional architecture, such as covered corridors, elevated floors, and courtyard spaces that adapt to Shenzhen's hot and humid climate by "conforming to the terrain and promoting ventilation and shading." Incorporating lessons from Nanyang Technological University's "Green Heart" in Singapore and ETH Zurich's "mountain campus" in Switzerland, blending ecology with technology.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Mademake, Shenzhen Vocational Education Park, 2025.
Image #2: Photographer Mademake, Shenzhen Vocational Education Park, 2025.
Image #3: Photographer Mademake, Shenzhen Vocational Education Park, 2025.
Image #4: Photographer Mademake, Shenzhen Vocational Education Park, 2025.
Image #5: Photographer Mademake, Shenzhen Vocational Education Park, 2025.
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