KPF reveals new mixed-use project in shanghai with cantilevered gallery spaces

global architecture practice kohn pedersen fox (KPF) has designed the mixed-use complex, ‘huamu lot 10’, for a site in shanghai, china. the design aims to create a sustainable urban environment that welcomes visitors to experience nature and art in an active setting, establishing a new form of urbanism. the design principal, jeffery a. kenoff, defines the project as ‘an integrated place of culture and commerce.’

huamu lot 10’s central plaza

renders © plompmozes

KPF articulates ‘huamu lot 10’ by three office towers and a future museum, carefully situated around a grand central plaza which is designed to accommodate large-scale artwork. each of the three towers is efficiently planned and rationally massed to make a strong statement and respond to a variety of functions. the glass curtain wall façades allow for panoramic views and bring natural light to the buildings’ interiors, while horizontal elements emphasize their rigidity and break up the verticality of the structures.

the central plaza is activated by surrounding gallery space and is designed to accommodate large-scale artwork

renders © plompmozes

the most notable aspect of the design are the subtle cantilevers formed at uniform heights, creating a visually connected ‘sky gallery’. at night, these galleries are illuminated to become bright features in the city and marking ‘huamu lot 10’ from a distance. the scheme also incorporates stepped gardens located on the roofs and terraces, providing occupants with outdoor gathering spaces and boasting impressive views of the city. by incorporating the cantilevered elements at the mid-point of the towers, the project aims to create a unique identity within the shanghai skyline.

office entry: the lobby as art gallery

renders © plompmozes

view of the towers from below

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huamu lot 10’s design organizes three rectilinear towers around a central public space

renders © plompmozes

gallery spaces cantilever over the plaza and provide views of the surrounding city

renders © plompmozes

isometric sketch of huamu lot 10 © jim keen

aerial sketch of huamu lot 10 © jim keen

sky gallery diagram © KPF

huamu lot 10’s axial relationship between shanghai and century park

diagrams © KPF

huamu lot 10’s smart façade features

details © KPF

1) grand plaza, 2) canal and terraced gardens connected to museum, 3) sky gallery

massing diagrams © KPF

project info:

architect: KPF / kohn pedersen fox

client: poly real estate group, shanghai pudong properties group

location: shanghai, china

area: 278,858 m2 / 3,000,000 ft2

design team:

local architect / structure and mechanic engineer: tongji architectural design (group) co., ltd

façade consultant: RFR

landscape: aspect studios

design principal: jamie von klemperer, FAIA RIBA

design principal: jeffrey a. kenoff, AIA

managing principal: inkai mu, AIA

managing principal: rebecca cheng, RIBA HKIA PRC class 1

project manager: sean roche, RIBA

senior designer: katsunori shigemi, AIA

senior designer for interiors: rodney bell

technical coordinators: michael linx, AIA, eric engdahl

KPF project team and contributors: matt burdalski, wenxin chen, lin du, stav eilam, ben fox, greg kamback, cindy kubitz, hui rong liu, rayka luo, nicolas madariaga, ingram mao, oscar obando, laura sandoval, hu wang, fan yang.

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom