Zaha Hadid Architects' Yidan Center Reaches Structural Completion in Shenzhen

Zaha Hadid Architects has revealed images of the Yidan Center, a high-rise building that has reached its highest structural point in Shenzhen. The structure will serve as the headquarters for the Chen Yidan Foundation and host the annual Yidan Prize, both established by Tencent co-founder Chen Yidan. Designed with two towers featuring curved floor plates that converge at the summit, the building includes a connecting bridge midway up. Its rippling form, wrapped in glass and horizontal louvres for solar protection, draws inspiration from the surrounding mountainous terrain, with the void between towers conceived as a canyon. Located near Qianhai Bay, the center will contain spaces for academic research, cultural programming, and exhibitions aimed at fostering educational innovation. A low-level structure with planted terraces and staircases will guide visitors toward the central outdoor space, which features a circular skylight illuminating interior areas below. The architects describe the design as promoting connectivity and interaction, blurring distinctions between inside and outside. They envision the completed building becoming a cultural nexus for learning in Shenzhen, leveraging the foundation's expertise and the prize's global network. Recent projects by the firm in China include a footbridge with three white arches and a 60,000-seat football stadium in Xi'an.