The Culture Shift by Superimpose Architecture Transforms Dongguan’s Civic Center with Terraced Mixed-Use Design

The Culture Shift in Dongguan, China, designed by Superimpose Architecture, is a new civic landmark that blends culture, public services and modern workplaces into one interconnected complex. Located at the heart of the Greater Bay Area, the project replaces the conventional civic center with a terraced landscape that responds to the city’s rapid transformation.

Instead of forming a single block, the development is organized as three ascending volumes surrounding a central courtyard. This open space functions as a public living room and enhances pedestrian circulation within the dense urban context. The western building contains most cultural and civic programs, including the municipality house, community spaces and a theater. A vertical atrium connects these functions and fills the interior with natural light.

The façade features transparent glazing at the base, frosted glass in the middle volume and fritted glass above, expressing the different programmatic layers. Timber finishes on terraces add warmth and encourage outdoor use.

Two additional office buildings extend the terraced architectural language. Designed for flexibility, each tower can support multiple tenants with independent entrances and lobbies. Daylight enters through vertical voids, while white aluminum fins optimize thermal comfort in the subtropical climate.

The Culture Shift demonstrates how mixed-use civic architecture can promote social interaction, environmental sustainability and continuous activation. By merging cultural, civic and commercial programs, Superimpose Architecture delivers a future-oriented model for urban civic centers in rapidly growing cities.

Project Credit

Designer: Superimpose Architecture / @superimposearchitecture
Design Team: Ruben Bergambagt, Carolyn Leung, Ben de Lange, Ana Raluca Timisescu, Xiaoyu Xu, Dave Chan, Qu Haibo
Location: Dongguan, China
Function: Mixed Use – Cultural Center & Office Villas
Year: 2025
Size: 19,369 sqm
Photo: CreatAR

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Superimpose Architecture is an award-winning international studio based in the Netherlands and Asia, specializing in sustainable architecture, urban transformation, and adaptive reuse. Founded in 2015, the practice works collaboratively across cultures and disciplines, layering new ideas onto existing contexts to create clear, impactful design. Its portfolio includes major civic, cultural, and interior projects worldwide and has earned recognition from the Iconic Awards, the American Architecture Prize, the DFA Design for Asia Awards, and leading global publications such as Dezeen, ArchDaily, and Domus.