The inaugural edition of Design Shenzhen ran from 27 February and 2 March, 2023, having happily hosted 40,000 visitors and over 250 brands in China’s first city of design. Here Architonic share a few of the highlights of the event…
Design Shenzhen reflects the city’s transformation from a manufacturing powerhouse to one of china’s most cosmopolitan creative centers
Shenzhen is emblematic of China’s rise as one of the world’s most dynamic economies. It began as a market town of 300,000 on the Pearl River Delta bordering Asia’s financial hub of Hong Kong, before growing into a manufacturing boomtown when it became a special economic zone in 1980. More recently it has become known as a global megacity and tech powerhouse, drawing in large amounts of foreign and domestic investment, and spawning innovative companies out of its wholesale electronics markets.
The city’s latest reinvention as a center for the creative industries has been ongoing for some time. Shenzhen joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2008 as China’s first ‘City of Design’ and since then, various initiatives such as Shenzhen Fashion Week and Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture and a Victoria & Albert Museum outpost in Shekou have become drivers of design and creative industries in the region.
the audience was able to visit a broad array of displays and exhibitions from local chinese designers as well as international brands such as Ligne Roset, pictured above
Putting a spotlight on China’s first city of design
In 2023, the first edition of Design Shenzhen opened its doors between 27 February and 2 March. Welcoming over 40,000 visitors over four days, the exhibition showcased over 250 homegrown and international brands, such as Ligne Roset, Occhio, Roche Bobois and Caesarstone. But the focus wasn’t just on showcasing interior design solutions. According to the Event Director Raymond Wang, the aim was to put a spotlight on China’s first city of design by ‘bringing together industry pioneers in the fields of design, culture and creativity together and showcasing the vitality of design within the city.’
Some of the show’s highlights focused on the need for designers to more closely integrate sustainability and human experience. Audi, the show’s exclusive headline partner, showcased a more human-centric approach to electric and sustainable vehicles in an immersive installation featuring its new RS e-tron GP Model, and Sony Design’s Nature Resonance contained a display of Sony’s work with environmentally conscious materials and a display encouraging visitors to experience the products in person.
