# MVRDV’s Bihailou Transforms a Commercial Complex Into a Vertical Neighborhood This project in Shenzhen merges architecture with public life. - **Source:** [Yanko Design](https://brifing.si/source/41d28791-ef47-4e0b-a40a-2a5efca0c11b) - **Published:** 2026-08-16 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/05ac72cd-ab35-433e-9cde-ef13bc65b683 ## The Core Idea MVRDV has transformed Bihailou Art Village in Shenzhen’s Shatoujiao district into a colorful vertical neighborhood that combines architecture with public life and local identity. The project replaces a single commercial block with a compact neighborhood in the sky, questioning how rapidly growing cities can preserve individuality and public life. ## Architectural Details The 6,500-square-meter cultural and commercial center consists of volumes designed in different colors and shapes. Each function is separated into its own house, distinguished by color, material, and geometry. This approach is inspired by MVRDV’s Vertical Village concept developed in 2011. ## Public Spaces and Functions The project brings together retail shops, restaurants, cultural spaces, a museum, an auditorium, and public areas. The performance theater occupies a generous double-height volume, with retractable seating that allows it to transform into an exhibition space. This flexibility ensures that spaces are shaped around their functions. ## Circulation and Access Circulation between buildings plays a role as important as the rooms themselves. Stairs, ramps, and walkways turn movement into a public experience. Each program has its own entrance, enabling shops, restaurants, and the museum to operate independently. ## Roof Terraces and Views The building’s roof terraces offer views of the surrounding mountains, city, and bay. These areas transform leftover circulation spaces into active layers, allowing visitors to explore the neighborhood from different heights. ## Ground Floor and Public Space Integration The project also establishes a strong connection with the public realm at ground level. Sheltered spaces beneath the building protect from sun and rain, while the surrounding landscape merges with the existing plaza. This design fluidly connects the building with the square instead of creating a clear boundary. ## Architectural Identity and Perception Bihailou Art Village appears as a colorful urban landmark from a distance, but as one approaches, smaller spaces, entrances, and terraces emerge. This perceptual shift is central to the project’s appeal. Density is maintained while difference and informality are deliberately preserved. ## The Significance of the Project Bihailou Art Village demonstrates that urban growth in a rapidly developing city can leave room for irregularity, recognition, and the small moments of public life. The project emphasizes that the spaces between architecture are as important as the architecture itself. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.yankodesign.com/2026/08/16/mvrdvs-bihailou-turns-a-commercial-complex-into-a-vertical-neighborhood/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mvrdvs-bihailou-turns-a-commercial-complex-into-a-vertical-neighborhood — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._