SOM has been selected through an international competition to design the Hetao North District N-05 Parcel, completing the first phase of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Park—an ambitious cross-border science and technology initiative. Located along the Shenzhen River at the boundary between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, the project is part of the broader Hetao Shenzhen–Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, envisioned as a globally significant hub for research, development, and innovation.
This parcel marks SOM’s second commissioned project with the Shenzhen-side campus, following the firm’s earlier competition win for Parcel N-02, which established the design prototype for the broader development. In addition to leading the design of both parcels, SOM serves as master architect for the entire campus, guiding architectural coherence and design principles across all parcels within the park.
Titled The Beacon of the Valley (翠谷航标), the project will become a prominent gateway to the site and serves as the capstone of the master plan on the Shenzhen side of the river, directly facing the Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park across the water.
Designed as a next-generation, research-and-development science park for biomedicine and interdisciplinary sciences, the project reimagines the conventional laboratory space by proposing a new prototype. Rather than isolating researchers from their surroundings, the master plan curates connections between science and nature at multiple scales—from immersive arrival gardens that welcome visitors to the site, to lobby spaces framing expansive views into tree-filled central courtyards, to collaboration spaces within the towers that open toward the Hong Kong mountains and the Shenzhen River. Shaded outdoor terraces extend life beyond the lab, offering places for connection and respite, even during the region’s hot summers and rainy seasons. These layered experiences create an oasis of science and technology that fosters connection, dialogue, and fellowship within a high-density urban environment.
“Our goal was to redefine the modern laboratory by immersing researchers in ecological environments,” said Design Partner Michael Duncan, “The development mirrors the tranquility of a Shenzhen botanical garden, creating a synergy between technical rigor and environmental harmony that supports focused research with the benefits of a strong biophilic design.”
The facility is engineered for long-term resilience, adaptable in its response to market changes and technological innovations. Managing Partner Larry Chien noted, “The design seamlessly aligns high-performance laboratory planning with streamlined process flows. By utilizing a modular framework, we have ensured the facility remains agile and timeless, allowing it to evolve with shifting market demands.”
