△ Entrance diagram
Project Overview
Located at the intersection of Shaanxi North Road and Kangding Road in Shanghai’s Jing’an District, this project benefits from convenient transportation. The site covers approximately 12,000 square meters and includes three historic buildings, a building materials market, and several small commercial shops. Nestled within the original concession area, the site is surrounded by wutong trees and red brick heritage buildings, embodying the classic old Shanghai style.
Historical Background
The site preserves relics from the concession era and original industrial buildings, holding significant historical value.
Historically, after the opening of ports and the establishment of concessions following the Nanjing Treaty, Shanghai entered its first golden period of growth in the late 1920s. The land was colonized by Britain and became part of Shanghai’s historical landscape. Red brick police stations, repair factories, training grounds, dormitories, and other Western-style architecture were constructed here.
In the fourth year of the Republic of China, to resolve conflicts between Indian patrol officers and local concession authorities, a Sikh church was built specifically for Indian officers. Known as the Gordon Road Sikh Pilgrimage Hall, it was the largest Sikh place of worship in Shanghai at the time.
After 1943, Shanghai’s concession history came to an end as Britain withdrew, leaving behind these historic buildings. Over time, the once-beautiful church was altered without regard for its original design, and the repair factory near Kangding Road was targeted for commercial redevelopment. Various retail shops filled the space, with chaotic signage obscuring the original architecture. The concession-era aesthetic gradually vanished.
Original Design Intent
Our goal is to develop a new creative industry park that maintains the site’s historical atmosphere while fostering diverse populations and multifunctional uses.
Our design preserves the fundamental forms and historic styles of each building, while emphasizing their unique character.
Main Entrance
The main entrance on Kangding Road is relatively narrow. To improve its presence, we removed some existing sloped-roof buildings adjacent to the entrance and widened it to ten meters, creating an entrance plaza. The building facade facing the plaza features a glass partition with a Mondrian-style pattern, enhancing transparency. From the intersection of Kangding Road and Shaanxi North Road, visitors can see inside the lobby, with indoor activities showcased through the glass, inviting an open and welcoming atmosphere.
Heading north along a street lined with various coffee shops, we reach the project’s core, designed with a minimalist modern style and a white color palette.
This area gathers creative studios, encouraging interaction and exchange of ideas among a diverse and international community.
Secondary Entrance
There is also a smaller entrance on Shaanxi North Road that connects street shops with the interior of the project. This entrance features continuous arched openings on the facade and charcoal gray bricks, blending harmoniously with the concession-era style. This design naturally draws visitors into the site.
Vision
Our vision is to establish a new creative park that reflects the concession area’s identity, preserving its historical charm while expressing its unique personality. We believe that modern development should focus on transformation and adaptive reuse of existing buildings rather than demolition and reconstruction. This approach preserves the beauty of exceptional heritage architecture.
We hope this project will become a new landmark in Shanghai and serve as a model for future developments that harmonize people, space, and history.
Drawings
△ Plan view
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
Project Information
Project Name: Shaanxi Kangli
Project Address: No. 358 Kangding Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai
Designer: COLORFULL Yujing Design
Floor Area: 12,000㎡
Company Website: http://www.colorfull-design.com/
Contact Email: contact@colorfull-design.com
Project Design & Year of Completion: 2020
Design Guidance: Zhao Zongyang, Ono Ryosuke
Architectural Scheme Design: Chuan Hefeng, Zhang Hao, Abe Jingqiao
Architectural Deepening Design: Zhang Hao
Interior Design Scheme: Sun Xiuyun, Zhang Fanxing, Li Liqun, Wu Hang, Yu Linbo
Interior Design Deepening: Li Liqun, Zhuang Hongling, Zhang Fanxing, Wu Hang
Landscape Design: Zhang Hao, An Bujing Qiao
Photography Copyright: Moisturizing Soil | Shao Zhongrui
Client: Jinhe Group
Materials: Red brick, white perforated aluminum panels, PC brick
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