“Billions of people just living out their lives… Oblivious.” — The Matrix
△ Project video © CreatAR Images
On the evening of March 22, 2023, under a light drizzle, the exterior facade and lobby of Debi Shanghai Book City WE—designed by Wutopia Lab and named Steel Rain by Yu Ting—were officially completed.
Steel Rain in the Garden © CreatAR Images
△ Project location © Wutopia Lab
A Parallel Afternoon
I accepted this project shortly after the Spring Festival in 2022. Looking back, that period felt somewhat unreal. Despite the bright sunshine, I felt uneasy—the warmth failed to reach my heart. The directions I gave were vague, inaccurate, even uncertain to myself. Lin Chen, a friend I’ve known for 14 years, seemed equally confused and presented three plans. I reluctantly chose one but couldn’t fully convince myself.
That day, after seeing off my friend who was leaving the country, I walked alone into the city. Though the sun shone brightly, I felt as if I had entered another universe—melancholic, dark, and damp, like the world after rain. Suddenly, I thought: why not translate this wet feeling into my architectural language? That’s when The Matrix came to mind.
Street View of Shanghai on March 31, 2022 © Wutopia Lab
The Matrix
The Matrix has always felt like a prophetic book filled with metaphors, symbols, and even curses. Since its release 24 years ago, many of its predictions have come true or nearly materialized. It’s both thrilling and unsettling.
The waterfall of numbers flowing behind Neo on a black background is a vivid image for me. Those constantly shifting green digits resemble falling rain. In this digital age, no one can escape digitization—we are all caught in the downpour.
△ Sketch by Yu Ting © Wutopia Lab
Steel Rain
Initially, I planned to create a rain installation at the poetry store of Sinan Bookstore, but eventually, the concept shifted to a “church within a church”—from motion to stillness.
This time, I aimed to evoke another heavy rain. We used 500 white aluminum plates in three different widths (16, 32, and 48 cm), cut into random shapes generated from my sketches, to simulate a heavy downpour on the facade. The boards feature Morse code perforations—random dots and lines forming an information rain, awaiting interpretation.
The thickness needed for heavy rain was achieved by layering the aluminum panels in three levels—inside, outside, and an outermost layer hiding a canopy to maintain visual integrity without compromising functionality. Entering the lobby through this heavy rain, the downpour continues inside.
I designed a steel bookshelf shaped like rain, extending the facade’s vocabulary into the interior, creating continuity. I often refer to metals like perforated aluminum panels and steel bookshelves simply as “steel,” so the concept is aptly named Steel Rain.
△ Building facade © CreatAR Images
On the side of Fujian Middle Road © CreatAR Images
On the side of Hubei Road © CreatAR Images
Singin’ in the Rain
The lobby features large folding windows that, when opened, seamlessly connect the interior with the exterior. Inside, the rain continues.
The garden museum combines a red golden stone pedestal with green plants, serving as a leisure area within the lobby. To emphasize the theme of rain cleansing, I requested the removal of original pillars and decorations to preserve the raw traces of construction—symbolizing how heavy rain can wash away our hearts and reveal their true nature.
△ Garden Museum © CreatAR Images
Using a module of 150, we controlled the visual effect of the white perforated steel bookshelf to resemble a curtain of rain.
The lobby acts as a transitional space connecting the elevator hall and co-creation space. At these intersections, we visually created the effect of curtains being lifted. This “lifted rain curtain” carries strong symbolism and guides visitors curiously into other areas of DOBE.
The lobby of Debi is a surreal rain song, fully expressing my complex emotions that day—damp, uneasy, yet comforted.
△ Rain curtain © CreatAR Images
The lifted rain curtain © CreatAR Images
△ Elevator hall © CreatAR Images
△ Co-creation space looking towards the lobby © CreatAR Images
△ VIP elevator hall © CreatAR Images
Rain in the Park
Looking out from the lobby, the space stands as a park under rain. I designed the entire public area of Debi WE @ Shanghai Bookstore as a pocket park. A white marble platform simulates micro-terrain, shaping continuous landscapes. The platform is paved with gray landscape tiles and further sculpted into seats, flower beds, steps, pools, and more. This grid-based, accessible design evokes dry mountains and rivers.
The park is separated from surrounding alleys by 3.2-meter-high black titanium mirror stainless steel blocks. Their subtle reflections allow passersby to see themselves in a “parallel” dimension—suggesting countless unique parks hidden within one physical pocket park.
△ Space generation © Wutopia Lab
△ Landscape Garden © CreatAR Images
The ‘steel rain’ falling on the ground © CreatAR Images
△ Garden night view © CreatAR Images
A bright red line runs through the center of the hall, leading visitors to electronic media screens that connect the elevator hall walls to the midpoint boundaries at both ends. This red obelisk, with proportions of 1:4:9, draws inspiration from the black monolith in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Unlike the silent monolith, this red obelisk projects a cascading “rainfall” of numbers, becoming the park’s focal point.
Red obelisk under the cover of night © CreatAR Images
The red line that runs through △ © CreatAR Images
I Have a Copper Jacket
In 2020, I bought a jacket woven with copper wire—a full metal jacket. I was fascinated by the subtle refractions and reflections of the copper threads.
For the lighting design of Steel Rain at Debi Shanghai Book City WE, I aimed to reflect this dynamic change, giving the installation a sense of accidental richness and unpredictability. In other words, I dressed Debi Shanghai Book City WE in an all-metal jacket.
At this moment, Steel Rain serves as a protective shield.
Yu Ting wearing a copper jacket © Wutopia Lab
△ Facade lighting © CreatAR Images
Everyone’s Journey Is Difficult
On March 31, 2022, due to static management measures the following day, Shanghai felt gloomy—like a cold winter day. Despite the anxiety surrounding me, I remained calm, understanding the circumstances.
During this phase of closure, I strengthened my design resolve. I needed a firm attitude to face an uncertain future.
Debi’s Lao Jia and Xiao Lu, who have their own design company, were surprised by my plan—it exceeded their expectations. I encouraged them to be brave in these special times.
On March 22, 2023, tears welled up in my eyes as I watched Zhu Jingyi overcome illness and complete her writing with an effort unnoticed by most. This year has been challenging for every Shanghai resident.
I once lost confidence too. But standing beneath the steel rain—completed by Debi’s Lao Jia and his team through hardships—I felt proud. This city refuses to be discouraged and faces the future with courage. Everyone struggles, but everyone is brave.
Zhu Jingyi working on the opening ceremony © DoBe
A Few More Words: Steel Rain Is My Definitive Expression
Many were surprised by the name Gangyu. In truth, it’s a small declaration. As an architect, one ultimately needs to find their own materials and modes of expression.
Architects often view concrete, wood, white paint, and glass as authentic and morally superior. In contrast, metal panels symbolizing consumerism strive to lose their metallic essence—either by imitating other materials or weathering steel to extremes.
Through perforation, I strip metal of its material primacy. But if the design were limited to just the first floor, it would only be a veil over the building’s exterior.
Thirteen years ago, teacher Zhang Bin described my Wuji Academy facade as “layered capitalist language.” That layered approach inspired me to use perforated panels to create volume on facades, ultimately making the facade itself—not a mere fabric but the jacket.
The layered perforated panels form a semi-transparent metal facade, introducing randomness and uncertainty. This approach motivates me to further shape the interior. Metal will likely be a major direction in my future work. Steel Rain marks a milestone in my creative journey.
△ Wuji Academy © Su Shengliang
I’m Only Interested in One Thing: The Future – “The Matrix Reloaded”
Project manager Li Hao once stepped out of the subway and saw Steel Rain amidst a cluster of old, uninspiring buildings. It was an incredible sight, as if predicting the future.
This steel rain also inspired confidence in my clients on another street for my new project on Nanjing East Road. We are no longer bound by the past; together with Wutopia Lab, we are creating the future.
“Morpheus: Time to fly.”
Steel Rain and Streets © CreatAR Images
This accidental photo feels like a prophecy—the man in the bottom right corner is the client of another project I’m about to unveil.
△ Overlooking from Haikou Road, Debi Shanghai Bookstore © CreatAR Images
△ Facade comparison with surrounding buildings © CreatAR Images
△ Night aerial view © CreatAR Images
△ Plan view © Wutopia Lab
△ Sectional perspective view © Wutopia Lab
Project Information
Project Name: Debi Shanghai Book City WE
Design Company: Wutopia Lab
Lead Architect: Yu Ting
Project Manager: Li Hao (Atu)
Project Architect: Feng Zixiang
Design Team: Lv Jie, Feng Yanyan, Jiang Yelei, Xu Zijie, Lin Chen
Design Consultation: TOPOS Design
Lighting Consultant: Tri Color Stone Design Institute
Curtain Wall Deepening: Shanghai Building Decoration Engineering Group Co., Ltd
Construction Drawing Design: Shanghai Debi Space Design Co., Ltd
Construction Drawing Design Team: Wu Bingdi, Zhang Panli, Jiang Xuejiao, Wang Xikai
Photography: CreatAR
Video: CreatAR
On-camera Appearances: Little Deer, Nikita (in red)
Owner: Shanghai Deyuan Shangshu Cultural Technology Co., Ltd
Owner Team: Lu Xin, Yan Shu, Zhou Xin, Mi Chengcheng, Zhao Xingjia, Dong Limin, Xiao Chenxi
Construction Units: Hongrun Construction Group Co., Ltd., Shanghai Jiuyao Construction Engineering Co., Ltd
Grinding Stone Series Supplier: Shanghai Jinfuyuan Flooring Engineering Co., Ltd
Customized Aluminum Plate Supplier: Shanghai Shuze Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd
Customized Bookshelf Supplier: Shanghai Shuze Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd
Soft Decoration Consultant: Decorative Platinum (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd
Main Materials: Perforated aluminum plate, gold grinding stone, perforated steel plate, mirror stainless steel, white hemp stone, outdoor floor tiles, Yuexiu wood
Project Address: Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
Building Area: 340 square meters indoor, 1020 square meters landscape
Design Period: March 2022 to July 2022
Construction Period: August 2022 to March 2023
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