schmidt hammer lassen constructs cloud pavilion in shanghai

schmidt hammer lassen (SHL) has completed the ‘cloud pavilion’, a permanent exhibition space on the banks of the huangpu river in shanghai, china. in 2013, SHL was commissioned to create a series of pavilions as part of the west bund biennale of art and architecture, curated by renowned chinese architect zhang yonghe, and architecture professor li xiangning.

the pavilion forms an exhibition space on the banks of the huangpu river
video courtesy of schmidt hammer lassen

as part of the biennale, schmidt hammer lassen completed the original cloud pavilion, an ephemeral structure comprising 20,000 pieces of white rope. intended as a counterpoint to the heavy industrial cranes on the waterfront, the pavilion was designed to last for the two month duration of the event. however, the success of the scheme meant that it remained in place for more than two years. consequently, in 2015, SHL was asked to redesign the pavilion as a permanent event space. the brief was to maintain the steel structure of the original pavilion, create at least 100 square meters of space for exhibitions, provide a small kitchen with storage, and maintain the original cloud-like form.

the design serves as a counterpoint to the heavy industrial cranes on the waterfront
all images by peter dixie

‘the new pavilion creates a singular space in the form of an extruded glass cloud,’ explains chris hardie, design partner at schmidt hammer lassen. ‘the cloud shape in plan directly relates to the cartoon like form associated with how a child would draw a cloud, and how clouds are often seen depicted in traditional chinese prints. the cloud is considered a symbol of luck in ancient chinese painting. at night the ceiling is illuminated against a reflective mirrored surface giving the illusion of an abstract floating cloud along the riverfront, and acts as a marker for citizens to meet and rest.’

the shape relates to the cartoon-like form associated with how a child would draw a cloud

the pavilion is one of many projects currently being designed by SHL along the huang pu river in shanghai. the studio is working together with the dream center to develop a new 1,800-seat broadway muscial theatre, a 300-seat live music venue, and on the conversion of a cement factory warehouse into a creative art and design hub. see more projects by schmidt hammer lassen on designboom here.

the building’s steel structure was maintained from the previous pavilion

curved glazing lends the project a sense of lightness and transparency

inside the 150 square meter-space

the pavilion provides a place for events and exhibitions

the design creates a singular space in the form of an extruded glass cloud

the structure gently illuminated at night

the pavilion took just two months to construct

site plan

floor plan

section

project info:

architect: schmidt hammer lassen architects
local architect: tongji architectural design institute
client: west bund development corporation
area: 150 sqm
construction: may – july 2016
photography: peter dixie

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schmidt hammer lassen constructs permanent cloud pavilion in shanghai

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