red carpet by 100architects glides through shanghai, china

red carpet by 100architects glides through shanghai, china
all images courtesy of 100architects

‘red carpet’ by 100architects is a project is located in shanghai, on east nanjing road’s century square, a famous pedestrian street in the heart of the city center. the essence of this boulevard is its commercial status, which was historically developed as a link between east and west, connecting the port directly with the metropolis. therefore, it is used as the principal trading platform, becoming a cultural and socially active axis.

approaching the site, the architects analyzed its situation: ‘currently, the century square is a flat car-free open area that also contains a small performance stage rarely used during most of the year. it is the only area with this condition in the whole east nanjing road, but it lacks of an attractor, a landmark for its urbanscape.’

project is located in shanghai on east nanjing road’s century square

the initiative offers a different relationship with the public performative activities, engaging with the original function, but also related with a circulation corridor and exposing its seats as a massive inclined plaza towards the main road. this produces an intense segment within the pedestrian route. the object’s shape contains the space adding new properties to stimulate and engage the proprioception of passersby.

the platform is an open amphitheater, where the show is intensified, inviting visitors and citizens to enjoy performances in a surreal atmosphere of design. ‘this atmosphere is achieved through the aesthetics of the project, which resembles a red carpet of giant proportions, folding from the store fronts of the building at the north, top to bottom generating a cavity in the same commercial axis,’ says the studio.

the circulation corridor exposes its seats as a massive inclined plaza towards the main road

the covered space on the south, underneath the seating, has two different uses. a more exposed area in direct contact with the pedestrians operates as an open market, using the architecture itself as sunshade protection. meanwhile, the inner area is used as a small bar, with public toilets, and others amenities.

the structure is made of metal trusses that generate the support for the precast concrete blocks that build the horizontal seating. the remaining elements are built on red wood and red metal panels. in the front, the vertical framework covers buildings with perforated aluminum panels, allowing plenty of light and air flow from the exterior, which enables the surface to function for public amusements, projections, and background for performances. in the first two levels, there are openings providing accessibility to the existing retail, even increasing its market value.

the structure is made of metal trusses that generate the support for the precast concrete blocks 

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.