100architects transforms obsolete phonebooths into new urban landmarks in shanghai

100architects have completed a project to transform existing phonebooths in shanghai into contemporary and useful urban objects. situated in the historic street of yuyuan road, the architects began the design process by questioning what role the phonebooth could play in our daily life and how they could serve the public in the era of smartphones. 

all images by amey kandalgaonkar 

the design by 100architects involved an extreme makeover that provided the phonebooths with a very cool and contemporary look, converting the old relics with new functions and possibilities. free wifi connection, free usb charging sockets, seating arrangement, newspaper rack, coffee table, reading lights at night and an emergency public phone are among the features.

a principle idea of the project was also to turn the booths into mini urban capsules. by providing a roof, the design offers a place for shelter or interaction among people. the phonebooths were also opened up to the pedestrian sidewalks, turning them into public furniture. the project uses 3 varying prototypes that facilitate interactions in different ways, and with the bold orange interior and bright LEDs, the phonebooths become a new human scale, urban landmark on yuyuan road.

project info:

project name: the orange phone booths

design: 100architects (shanghai)

design team: marcial jesus & javier gonzalez (100architects)

production: hong yang advertising (shanghai) + 100architects (shanghai)

lighting consultant: maciej dudek (squiggle lab)

client: mini china / anomaly shanghai

location: yuyuan road, changning district, shanghai, china

completion date: december 2018

photography: amey kandalgaonkar 

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