steven holl completes 'cloud-like' cofco cultural and health center in shanghai

steven holl’s FIRST PROJECT IN SHANGHAI TOPS OUT

two light grey concrete buildings sit within an expansive riverside site for ‘cofco cultural and health center’, steven holl architects‘ first completed project in shanghai.

located along punan canal in the city’s fengxian district, the development is conceived as a ‘social condenser’, providing health services, cultural programs and green space to the rapidly densifying surrounding community. in contrast to the growing housing blocks behind it, the new architecture prioritizes spatial energy and openness.

images courtesy aogvision

post-PANDEMIC architecture STRATEGIES

‘to work on architecture for culture and health is a social commitment, much needed in our current moment, as we continue to feel the global impacts of the pandemic,’  says steven holl.

the project follows steven holl architects’ post-covid architecture strategies; maximizing fresh air and natural light, and featuring open circulation and social spaces. the concept of ‘clouds and time’ underscores the scheme — a reference to philosopher karl popper’s famous 1965 lecture on the evolutionary model of free will, ‘of clouds and clocks’. the landscape is organized in large clock-like circles while the two public buildings are cloud-like in their porosity and openness.

both the health and cultural centers are built from light grey concrete

the larger cultural center spans five levels and has a total floor area of 6,030 sqm. the base is articulated in glass, which exposes the café, game and recreation rooms. a curved ramp leads up to the second floor where an auditorium, library, leisure area, and internet services can be found. the third and fourth floors host the sports program as well as the administration, a youth activity area, and a community education area.

the 1,490 sqm health center rises three levels above ground and is shaped by the curves of the central landscape space, developing a strong relationship between its ‘cloud-like’ parts and the whole of the landscape. both buildings have green sedum roofs, blending in further with the landscape when seen from above and with the surrounding apartment buildings.

both buildings have sedum roofs

as well as promoting healthy living and cultural exchange, the design team has also incorporated a host of sustainability measures. these include increased greenery and open space, use of 30% recycled materials, centralized heating and cooling systems, CO2 monitoring, thermal storage and grey/rainwater retention and recycling.

the cofco cultural and health center is included in idea + phenomena, an exhibition of the work of steven holl architects on view at the roca beijing gallery through october 16, 2021.

see designboom’s previous coverage of the cofco cultural and health center here.

organic shaped windows look out to the landscape

the two buildings seek to be cloud-like in their porosity and openness

the cultural center at night    

the cultural center is punctured by a large outdoor atrium

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project info:

name: shanghai cofco cultural & health center

location: shanghai, china

client: cofco
program: health center: health education area, pharmacy, consultation rooms, exam rooms, physical therapy room, ultrasound and x-ray rooms, nursery, admin and doctor’s lounges
cultural center: exhibition area, table game area, café, library, gym, community & youth activity areas

architect: steven holl architects; steven holl (design architect), roberto bannura (partner in charge), noah yaffe (project advisor), xi chen, sihuan jin (project architects), zhu zhu (assistant project architect), wenying sun, ruoyu wei, dimitra tsachrelia, yuanchu yi, okki berendschot, pu yun, elise riley, lydia liu, tsung-yen hsieh, shih-hsueh wang, michael haddy, yi ren, xu zhang, lidong sun, peter chang, yuchun lin, peilu chen, hong ching lee (project team)

associate architects: east china architectural design & research institute
structural engineer: east china architectural design & research institute

MEP engineer: east china architectural design & research

façade consultants: institute winda, façade nan feng

lighting design: l’observatoire international

cultural center area: 6,030 sqm

health center area: 1,490 sqm

site area: 7,520 sqm
construction period: 2018 – 2021

sustainability: shanghai silver green certification. maximized open space with enhanced landscape (water features and use of local planting species), thermal storage, gray water and recycled water systems, use of at least 30% recycled material content in construction (by weight), centralized heating and cooling, co2 monitoring, reduced overall carbon footprint during construction phase.
structure: cast-in-place load bearing concrete facades. prefabricated steel interior structure encased in cast-in-place concrete

photography: aogvision