Foster + Partners has unveiled design for the Changfeng mixed-use development in Shanghai, China. The project will form an integral part of the Shanghai Science and Technology Finance cluster in the city’s Putuo District.

The new scheme, envisioned as part of the broader Shanghai 2035 Masterplan, sets a new benchmark for developments across the city by integrating into the existing network of public green spaces to improve overall wellbeing. Moreover, the design, centered on the "LWP" model, aims to create new high-quality spaces for living, working, and playing. 

The development combines a diverse range of amenities, including retail spaces, offices, affordable housing, public facilities such as an arts center, and recreational areas.

"The project transforms an industrial area into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood in the heart of Shanghai," said Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners. 

"The human-scale development is designed to improve connectivity across the site, bringing people together and improving wellbeing through art, greenery and outstanding new public spaces," Evenden added.

The development features a central green axis that runs from north to south, connecting its two main access points. Smaller secondary streets intersect with the central axis, creating a highly permeable and accessible layout. The streets are designed at a human scale, and the buildings step back to allow for natural ventilation, creating pleasant and healthy spaces for the community to enjoy.

A flexible arts centre, known as Jia Art, sits the heart of the scheme, and features 5000 square-metres of exhibition, event, and educational spaces. The Jia Art is inspired by the spring blessing flower that is native to the local park. Shaped in a petal-like structure, the new structure embraces a generous central plaza that sits at the intersection of two primary axis. 

"The arts centre provides a range of public spaces where the local community can gather and exchange ideas," said Foster + Partners. 

"The interior space follows the same petal-like form and is crowned by a glass roof, which brings natural light deep into the central atrium." 

"The building’s upper façades are made from tubular glass with stainless-steel back panelling, which can be lit up to dramatically animate the development at night," the office added.

On the north of the central axis, there are offices that provide a new landmark on the busy Jinshajiang road. 

The towers provide outstanding views of the city and Changfeng Park, along with various amenity spaces to encourage collaboration. Multi-level terraces are combined with adaptable floorplates to accommodate different tenants.

Natural ventilation within the towers are enhanced through double-height sky atriums and roof terraces form a vertical green landscape.

The office buildings feature metal facades that incorporate horizontal canopies and vertical fins. They are positioned to optimise energy efficiency, while Crittall windows at the podium level nod to the site’s industrial past.

Foster + Partners completed Apple's first store in India at BKC, Mumbai. Additionally, the firm released design for an airport made of structural trees creating a spacious roof in Cambodia, and the firm revealed design for a new development referencing to Florida’s vernacular architecture in Florida, United States. 

All renderings © Foster + Partners.

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