The Guangfulin Cultural Site in Shanghai is one of the richest and most valuable ancient archaeological sites in the city, often referred to as the “root of Shanghai.” This site provides evidence that 5,000 years ago, our ancestors thrived here and developed a unique culture on the land that is now Shanghai. It is officially recognized as a national key cultural relic protection unit in China.
Color Master Plan
The Shanghai Guangfulin Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall is situated in the core area of Guangfulin Heritage Park. To the west lies the Guangfulin Site Protection Area, to the east an artificial landscape lake, the north is bordered by a resort hotel, and to the south is a low-rise commercial street designed to resemble a water town.
The project is built on an artificial lake and includes three main buildings: the Cultural Exhibition Hall, the Cultural Performance Center, and the Cultural Exchange Center. These are arranged along a north-south main axis, creating a continuous spatial sequence. This layout also reflects the traditional Chinese architectural style of three courtyards commonly found in official residences, offering a unique spatial experience throughout the complex.
The exterior design features three structures with double-sloped roofs floating above the water. The architectural inspiration for these roofs and the domed elements comes from the ancestral houses of the new era. The facade details incorporate characteristics of traditional ancient Chinese architecture that developed after the Tang and Song dynasties. This entire complex serves as the central landscape feature of the heritage park.
Exhibition Hall Sectional View
The main exhibition hall and some supporting spaces are designed to be partially submerged underwater. This design effectively reduces the building mass visible above ground. The scattered arrangement of the buildings allows for better harmony and integration with the small-scale structures typical of the surrounding water towns.
The interior design draws from the most traditional Chinese wooden structure styles. The exhibition hall’s theme is “The Roots of Shanghai, the Source of Shanghai Style.” Visitors enter through a circular hall and gradually descend underwater. Winding paths on either side depict the evolving relationship between the sea and the land. Through a series of classic scenes presented in chronological order, visitors can trace Shanghai’s transformation over thousands of years—from a primitive village to Guangfulin Ancient Town, then Huating County, Songjiang Prefecture, and ultimately to the modern-day Bund.
Since its completion, the project has become a new cultural landmark in Shanghai, attracting numerous visitors both locally and internationally every day.
Drawings
Color Master Plan
Model Photograph
North Elevation of the Performing Arts Center
East Elevation of the Performing Arts Center
Negative First Floor Plan of the Performing Arts Center
Second Floor Plan of the Performing Arts Center
East Facade of the Exhibition Hall
West Facade of the Exhibition Hall
Sectional View of the Exhibition Hall
Floor Plan of the Exhibition Hall (Negative First Floor)
Floor Plan of the Exhibition Hall
Roof Plan of the Exhibition Hall
Project Information
Architect: Sidi International
Address: 3260 Guangfulin Road, Songjiang New City, Shanghai, China
Lead Architects: Hong Bin, Yang Mingjie
Design Team: Zhang Bo, Li Rong, Luo Baoying
Owner: Songjiang District Administration of Culture, Radio, Film and Television, Shanghai
Building Area: 40,073.0 square meters
Project Year: 2018
Photographer: WDI Photography
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