OCT Bay

Located in Shenzhen, China, OCT Bay has a combined site area of approximately 1.25 square kilometers including equal parts new urban center and nature preserve. SWA provided both master planning and landscape architectural services for the entire site that is targeted towards creating public open space for the city that balances development and ecology. As a new urban cultural and entertainment destination, OCT Bay provides urban amenities, entertainment components, public plazas, park space, resort destinations, and ecological preserves. The 685,000 square meter wetland and nature preserve provides habitat for dozens of species, and is considered China’s only inner-city coast mangrove wetland. SWA’s design engages the public through an activity program defined by education, culture, entertainment and recreation. Locally sourced materials, green technologies and sustainable practices were utilized to enhance the resource responsible goals established for the project. The site concept is based on an interaction with water – as a natural resource, aesthetic element, ecological system and conveyance amenity. The project has become a model for a successful approach to balanced mixed use project development in China.