Shenzhen Water Park ETFE Dome
Project Details
Location: Shenzhen, China
Completion Date: December 2008
Size: 19,000 sqm
Fabric: ETFE - Asahi Fluon®
Client: Shenzhen OCT Co. Ltd
Shenzhen is known for its great number of stunning theme parks. Once a small fishing village on the China coastline, Shenzhen’s powerful connection with water continue. Shenzhen Water Park is an indoor theme park that captures the thrill, wonder and fantasy of water. This visually stunning ETFE Dome creates memorable experience for visitors as they enjoy an abundance of water attractions.
The Brief
The architect’s design vision to embody the joy of free-spirited water play was brought to life through a design a ETFE dome structure that symbolizes a gigantic water droplet. The modern appearance of the dome would blend harmoniously with the rolling hills surrounding the park while providing on-doing benefits through strength, durability, cost, and energy efficiencies. Located in Shenzhen, the park would experience variable weather throughout the year and required a structure that could easily adapt to variations in climate.
The Concept
This simple but complex dome created with the MakMax TensoSky ETFE System allows natural light to flood through the pale blue tinted translucence and nourish the plant life below. At night, LED lights would tint the droplet and create magical reflections in the surrounding moat. It was to be a visually stunning dramatization of a totally practical concept.
The Materials
The Shenzhen Water Park ETFE Dome is designed with triple-layer blue ETFE (ethylene tetra-fluoroethylene) cushions. ETFE, regarded as the new building material for the next generation, was the perfect choice because its flexibility meant several hundred geometrically different cushions could accommodate the complexities of design. Strong, durable, lightweight, and cost effective, ETFE is also an excellent thermal insulator. When used in this 3-layer cushion, a U Value of 1.7 W/m2K is achieved.
As part of the roof is retractable, the ETFE cushions and corresponding air circulation system retract in tandem with its movement. The inclusion of LED lighting illuminates the ETFE foil to create a dramatic effect at night.
The Result
MakMax’s Chinese division, Shanghai Taiyo Kogyo, received an Award of Excellence in the Architectural Structures Category for the Shenzhen Water Park project at the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) 2009 International Achievement Awards. The theme park is one of the largest ETFE projects in China and promises to be a visual ambassador for the continued development of such structures worldwide.
