Róng Museum of Art Set To Become Shenzhen’s New Tech-Culture Landmark

Summary

• The Róng Museum of Art in Shenzhen, designed by Büro Ole Scheeren, fuses technology, culture and ecological design
• Cone-shaped volumes wrapped in glass tubes create a glowing cultural lantern and sustainable landmark

Róng Museum of Art, designed by Büro Ole Scheeren, is envisioned as a new cultural landmark dedicated to the visual and digital culture of today. Commissioned by Tenova Future, a private venture of Tencent’s founder, the museum embodies the idea of symbiosis between technology and culture.

Situated in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District within the Houhai Hybrid Campus, the project integrates residences, offices, retail and hospitality into a 24-hour urban ecosystem, positioning the museum as both a civic anchor and a symbol of how tech-driven prosperity can support public life and cultural infrastructure.

The museum’s distinctive silhouette is formed by cone-shaped volumes wrapped in parametrically engineered suspended glass tubes, creating a translucent veil that filters light and recalls historic uses of glass in Chinese architecture. These tubes provide shading, ventilation and rainwater collection, contributing to Shenzhen’s “sponge city” approach to sustainability. By day, they diffuse natural light into the galleries, while at night, individually illuminated tubes transform the building into a glowing cultural lantern within the city’s skyline.

The structure is defined by five sculptural pavilions that expand as they rise, lifting the exhibition spaces above the ground to create a naturally ventilated public plaza below. This open forum is designed to host temporary installations, screenings and cultural events, transforming casual movement into cultural encounters. Above, the constellation of gallery volumes includes a double-height space for large-scale works, while a meandering stair leads visitors to a rooftop garden that extends the Hybrid Campus’ central oasis and serves as an elevated platform for performances and outdoor programming overlooking Shenzhen’s waterfront.

A meandering stair along the building’s outer facade leads to a rooftop garden, which acts as an elevated exterior events platform with expansive views across the Shenzhen waterfront. The design is intended to function as an “art forum” accessible 24 hours a day, fostering cultural encounters through temporary installations and public events.

Scheduled to open in 2027, the Róng Museum of Art represents a fusion of ecological design, cultural ambition, and technological patronage, reinforcing Shenzhen’s identity as a global innovation hub with a growing artistic voice.