atelier z+'s prefab service station in shanghai explores link between design and scenery

atelier z+’s ‘river viewing service station’ is a service station set at lujiazui — northern riverside section on the eastern bank of the project on ‘connecting both sides of huangpu river of shanghai’ –, providing citizens with rest spaces and public toilets. the station is within a narrow levee-shaped green field defined by the riverside running path and inner riding path. it is an extension of the access of an existing underground garage staircase. the site is more than two meters above the city roads with the northern riverside slightly higher than the southern side and in the neighborhood there are plenty of old trees, forming a small forest.

all images © wu qingshan

in order to balance an extremely short project schedule of only one month and chinese based atelier z+‘s unremitting pursuit for quality and space experience and to give consideration to problems such as space constraint and control of garage roof structural weight, the architects have adopted the steel and wood hybrid system mainly composed of laminated wood to make a rapid construction possible. with a high prefabricated rate, the site is basically adopting dry construction, which has little impact on the environment. backed by a succession of skyscrapers in lujiazui and separated by huangpu river from old bund and north bund, this site is a key public space in central shanghai. this small station has provided the project team  with opportunities to explore the relationship between architecture and scenery that have exceeded its own dimension. the chinese designers hope that this station can intensify its own features while serving the citizens in an easily approachable atmosphere so that the project can become a scenery amplifier.

atelier z+’s ‘river viewing service station’ provides citizens with rest spaces and public toilets

the name of ‘river viewing service station’ has highlighted the double appeal of the project. the station can be divided into two sections: the eastern part is a relatively closed public toilet while the western section is an L-shaped lounge combined with garage staircase. the northern and western sides facing the bund — waterfront — are both full-height glazing and rest platforms. the northern river-viewing platform is provided with benches along the station´s external wall, where visitors can take a fitness break. between these two parts there is a roofed vestibule cutting through the building, which connects the riding path in the relatively low south section with the river-viewing platform in the relatively high north end. the square planar contour of the station is in sharp contrast to the relatively complicated half-spiral straight line curved surface single-direction purline roofing structure made of copper imitated al-mg-mn alloy sheeting.

south elevation of the ‘river viewing service station’

viewed from the riverside, the station resembles a large pavilion with far-extending eaves and a lithe crimped roof, which is slightly elevated from the site. the umbrella-shaped radial purlines under the counter-slope eaves in the north have become a visual focus. the purlines converge to form a natural triangular skylight, one half in the lounge and the other half above the vestibule, illuminating the dark roof recesses and strengthening the space depths.

the northern river-viewing platform is provided with benches along the station’s external wall

viewed from the riding path in the south, atelier z+’s station roof is divided into two halves respectively in the east and west, which have different heights but both tilt inward. especially, the roof at the corner of western-section stair case in the center has been depressed almost to the lowest point of visual horizon and the copper imitated plates roofing has extended to western section´s southern facade. this specially depressed dimension and the continuity between roof and facade have strengthened the entering sense of the side back to the river, guiding visitors from the central vestibule to the river scene. ascending step by step from the riding path through the narrow and low-rise vestibule, the roof will gradually rise with your body movement, the dense tree crowns originally at the end of the vestibule will also raise in your field of vision, breaking through the high and spacious eaves in the north.

single-direction purline roofing structure made of copper imitated al-mg-mn alloy sheeting

standing on atelier z+’s open and clear river-viewing platform and viewing through the trunks at the bottom, you can see the glistening river surface is stretching horizontally, constituting a flowing scene with figures walking or running along the riverside. the benches on both sides of the vestibule will attract people to sit idly and appreciate the river scene leisurely. at this moment, you can only see the glistening river surface and feel a special tranquility when the city at the other side of the river is concealed by the trees. of course, when you descend from the platform and zigzag down the stepping stones in the forest, you will access the running path and waterborne platform, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the magnificent city skylines across both sides of huangpu river.

people sitting on the benches on both sides of the vestibule

interior view of the service station

the station roof guides visitors from the central vestibule to the river scene

the service station immersed in its natural context 

you can only see the glistening river surface and feel a special tranquility when the city is concealed by the trees

night view of the service station seen from the southern riding path

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edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom