Marisfrolg's Shenzhen campus: a regenerative ecological island

The Marisfrolg garden campus, located in Shenzhen's Longhua District and spanning nearly 12.35 acres, is the headquarters of the Chinese fashion brand Marisfrolg. Established by founder Zhu Chongyun, the campus was envisioned nearly 20 years ago by the New Zealand firm Architecture van Brandenburg to embody ecological principles. This complex features studios, factories, warehouses, showrooms, event spaces, restaurants, future museum areas, and a boutique hotel, all surrounded by gardens and ponds. Inspired by a seabird from a 2006 Marisfrolg show, the architects’ biomimetic designs resemble various creatures. The exterior incorporates locally sourced discarded materials, while the interior showroom, designed by Zaha Hadid, utilizes recycled materials. Completed in 2023, the campus is gated, catering to a wealthy clientele through over 400 stores in China. Founded in 1993, Marisfrolg remains relatively unknown in the West, with the project involving contributions from design and engineering institutes in China, Spain, New Zealand, Iraq, and London.