Lunar – Qianhai Landmark Design Proposal
Lunar is Snøhetta’s design proposal for the International Competition for the Landmark Design of the Qianhai New City Center. Lunar was ranked second place in a competition with no final winner.
What is a landmark?
Does a landmark mark the land?
Or does it mark its time, its era?
A landmark is a product of its context, a manifestation of the technology of its time.
A landmark marks its land, and also marks its era.
Embodying Shenzhen’s Pioneering Character and History
From the socialist political discourse to the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen has historically been the pilot area of China's national policy.
This pioneer role can be traced back as far as to the Nantou System in the 16th century, interacting and interfacing with the outside world for 500 years.
Embodying Shenzhen’s pioneer spirit and acknowledging both its maritime past and its technological future, lunar is the remnants of a vessel that transmits data to the world, for the world.
One moon is reflected in many waters;
all the water-moons are from the one moon
- Yongjia Zhenjue (665-713)
A Landmark of the Data Era
Like the Eiffel Tower and the Medieval cathedral, we believe that a landmark not only marks the land but also marks an era. A landmark is typically a representation of the technology of its time.
The Eiffel Tower, a steel-structure, utilized and showcased the most advanced steel construction methods of its time. As such, upon its completion, the Eiffel Tower became a symbol of France’s industrial prowess, visible to the world. After 130 years, we have now arrived at the era of data.
The data of the Greater Bay Area and even the whole country will be reflected through the one moon – lunar.
