One thing Shenzhen is not noted for is its architecture. If ever you wanted to see a vision of communist urban planning turned into a nightmare of concrete uniformity then this is the place to come. It’s like a bunch of uninspired architects were given a massive budget and then vomited a million lifeless tower blocks over green pastures turning them grey. Perhaps I’m being a little harsh but as modern metropolia go it cannot be described as conventionally beautiful.
![City Hall @ Night](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/4378363990_93fbc67e10_b.jpg)
Equally perplexing is the city hall with its ginormous curved roof that still strikes me as vulgar and tastelessly over-the-top, especially considering that the government is supposed to be serving the people rather than pouring their taxes into lavish offices. Audacious it may be, but beautiful… perhaps not.
![Shenzhen Museum](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/3166960232_6c28af534a_b.jpg)
Having said this the museum contained within the building is actually pretty good with an atrium which bears a passing resemblance to the central courtyard at the British Museum. Here you can get a good overview of Shenzhen’s development and the “glorious accomplishments” of the CCP. If you’re lucky you might even spot a cringe-worthy video reenactment of some locals beating up drunk British soldiers during the opium wars. An old man standing next to me gave me a dodgy look at this point and muttered “laowai” (foreigner) under his breath in a disapproving tone 😀
![Golden New Year](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/4378363590_1243c59cc9_b.jpg)
I do however reserve praise for the adjacent Shenzhen Cultural Center which consists of a spectacular library and music hall with a multi-dimensional glass pyramid facade and an open-plan airy interior. At night it looks spectacular lit up from the inside out.
![Triangular Ceiling](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/4377612077_fd5e3600ff_b.jpg)
Considering China’s hatred for most things Japanese how Arata Isozaki won the gig to build this thing is a little perplexing but hopefully delivering something as magnificent as this will have healed a few sore wounds. It certainly deserves praise.
![Angular Library](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/4378363210_f021ac0664_b.jpg)
Personally, I think the traditional Library has had its day (along with newspapers, books and other print media) but a place like this almost makes you want to sit down and read, even if it’s on a device like a Kindle or iPad.
![Curved Perspective](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/4378362522_b77e35f521_b.jpg)
The crown jewel of the building is the gently undulating east window which runs the entire length of the building and encapsulates the tiered suspended flooring inside. While I was there a film crew was shooting a tv show and once again I was told off for unwittingly pointing my camera in the wrong direction. Some things never change!
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