Shenzhen Pingshan Changshou Dramaville

Recently, the renowned architectural media outlet Archimarathon released a video focusing on the innovative design of the Shenzhen Pingshan Changshou Dramaville. In the video, the vlogger couldn't help but marvel at the ingenuity and thoughtfulness presented in the various design details, stating that this is “one of the best examples of heritage storytelling in architecture” he has ever seen, earning widespread acclaim in the comments section.

In the Shenzhen Pingshan Changshou Dramaville, the seamless integration of drama art and community functions — where history and modernity blend through the medium of architecture — is revitalizing the area. This “Storytelling Architecture” reflects the characteristics of Pingshan’s integrated development of industry and city. From the perspective of the architecture in Pingshan, we find that the development story of this innovative district is very impressive.

Shenzhen Pingshan Changshou Dramaville

Ancient Hakka walled houses: Guardians of heritage

Pingshan’s architectural narrative begins with its iconic Hakka walled housing compounds, epitomized by the Dawan Ancestral Residence. Built during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, this colossal square-shaped compound spans 15,000 square meters and features over 400 rooms, defensive towers, and a sophisticated water management system. The outer walls, constructed with a unique mixture of sand, lime, and glutinous rice, have withstood centuries of weathering, while the central ancestral hall remains a focal point for clan rituals like the annual Spring Festival ancestor worship ceremony. 

Dawan Ancestral Residence

These Hakka compounds not only reflect the Hakka people’s defensive ingenuity but also their communal ethos. Today, they serve as living museums, hosting cultural events like kylin dances and intangible cultural heritage workshops. 

Reviving heritage: Pingshan Bookrooms

Pingshan’s approach to heritage extends beyond preservation. The Pingshan Bookrooms initiative transforms historic buildings into vibrant cultural spaces. For instance, Nanzhong School, built in 1931 and listed as a protected heritage site, now houses a bookstore and hosts lectures and art exhibitions. Similarly, the Jingui Nature Bookroom, once an abandoned village house, has been reimagined as China’s first nature-themed reading space, blending ecology with literature.  

Nanzhong School

Modern marvels: Blending aesthetics and functionality  

Pingshan’s modern architecture tells stories of innovation and global vision. The Yanzi Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center, with its Han-Tang-style roofs and floor-to-ceiling windows, harmonizes with the adjacent wetlands. Since opening, it has hosted over 880 events, driving the district’s emergence as an exhibition hub in eastern Shenzhen.  

Yanzi Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center

The Pingshan Cultural Center, a 120,000-square-meter precinct, integrates a theater, art museum, and library. The Pingshan Library, nicknamed the Twisted Library due to its unique tilted concrete slabs and natural lighting, has become a social media sensation. Meanwhile, the Shenzhen Natural History Museum, currently under construction in the Yanzi Lake area, aims to be the largest of its kind in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, showcasing biodiversity through immersive exhibits.  

Pingshan Library

A computer-generated image of Shenzhen Natural History Museum.

From ancient houses to futuristic museums, Pingshan’s architecture is a tapestry of stories. Each building — whether a 200-year-old Hakka house or a gravity-defying library — reflects the district’s ethos: honor tradition while embracing change. As Archimarathon’s video revealed, Pingshan is not just building structures; it is crafting narratives that resonate across time.