The COFCO Nanqiao Peninsula Cultural and Sports Center and Medical Service Station, situated in Shanghai’s Fengxian District, is designed as a “social cohesion device.” It connects with the Punan Canal along the river, creating a public space and park that serves as a hub for communication and gatherings within the surrounding new residential community.
Although located next to densely populated residential buildings, the center’s lively, open space attracts nearby residents for leisure and cultural activities. Additionally, the medical station addresses the community’s healthcare needs.
Architect Steven Holl remarked, “In the current context, where the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic remains palpable, it is a social responsibility to design buildings dedicated to culture and health.”
This project reflects Steven Holl’s architectural approach for the post-pandemic era by incorporating abundant green spaces, maximizing natural light and air circulation, and emphasizing open circulation paths and social areas. The landscape and two public buildings embody the concept of “cloud and time,” inspired by philosopher Karl Popper’s famous 1965 speech.
A circular landscape trail, reminiscent of a clock, encloses a central public space, while the buildings’ cloud-like openings invite public engagement and openness.
The cultural center features a gray-white porous concrete facade, suspended above a transparent glass base. Inside the glass base, visitors will find a café and an entertainment game room. A curved ramp extends through the landscape to the second floor, offering visitors a panoramic view from above.
The medical service station, enclosed by the landscape trail, also showcases gray-white porous concrete walls. The overall landscape design harmonizes with the cloud-shaped architectural elements. From nearby high-rise residential buildings, the green roofs of both buildings, planted with Sedum, blend seamlessly into the surrounding environment.
The project’s sustainability strategy includes increasing green areas and open spaces, utilizing 30% renewable materials, implementing centralized heating and cooling systems, monitoring carbon dioxide levels, employing thermal storage, and collecting and reusing greywater and rainwater.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan – Cultural Center
△ Second Floor Plan – Cultural Center
△ Third Floor Plan – Cultural Center
△ Fourth Floor Plan – Cultural Center
△ First Floor Plan – Medical Center
△ Second Floor Plan – Medical Center
△ Third Floor Plan – Medical Center
△ Cultural Center Elevations
△ Cultural Center Elevations
△ Cultural Center Elevations
△ Medical Center Elevations
△ Medical Center Elevations
△ Overall Section View
△ Hand-drawn Design Sketches
△ Hand-drawn Design Sketches
△ Hand-drawn Design Sketches
△ Hand-drawn Design Sketches
Project Information
Architectural Design: Steven Holl Architects
Area: 7,520 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photography: Aogvision Architectural Vision
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