Visitors to new power plant in Shenzhen experience ‘a journey of discovery’

Tenderstream members Gottlieb Paludan Architects and Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL) have designed the world’s largest energy facility, located on the outskirts of Shenzhen in south-eastern China. The facility addresses one of the biggest global challenges of our time: how to deal with the increasing waste consumption in the world's major cities. The ring incinerates up to 5,000 tonnes of waste daily, which generates 1.2 billion kWh of electricity per year for the city's energy grid. 

Despite its complex functions, the design takes the form of a simple tapered and tilted lattice drum, that contains all the plant’s functions within the smallest area possible. Thomas Bonde-Hansen, Design Director at Gottlieb Paludan Architects, states: “The conical building design with the tapered facades was born out of our desire to integrate this complex technical facility into the natural and hilly landscape in the best possible way. An open lamella façade design principle enabled us to create a simple and continuous figure, while still allowing for all the necessary technical functions to penetrate the outer skin.”

With its distinctive, circular shape and a 1.1-kilometre public roof path, the facility is also a destination for visitor experiences and learning. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a plaza with landscaped gardens and an information board showing the day's waste processing in real time. From an internal bridge, they follow the plant's processes before proceeding to an exhibition hall where current environmental issues are presented. The experience culminates on a glass bridge from which the combustion process is observed up close. After a break in the café, visitors take the lift to the roof, where a the long walkway offers panoramic views of the landscape and the solar cells that generate energy.

 “The Energy Ring isn’t just infrastructure; it’s a journey of discovery,” says Chris Hardie, design director for SHL’s Shanghai studio. “I think the most important part of this project is for visitors to experience the scale of this facility and to leave with a lasting impression about the importance of minimizing waste in our daily lives.”

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

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