steven holl conceives cloud-like cofco cultural complex for shanghai

in shanghai, steven holl has designed two buildings — a cultural facility, and a health center — set within a public landscape. conceived as a ‘social condenser’, the scheme seeks to unite the neighboring community, which has seen an increase in new housing blocks in recent years. ‘to work on architecture for culture and health is a social commitment, during these challenging times,’ says steven holl.

all images courtesy of steven holl architects

steven holl architects’ design has now been approved by cofco, who commissioned the project in the summer of 2016. 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 articulated in large clock-like circles that form a central public space, while the two buildings seek to be cloud-like in their porosity and openness.

the cultural center is the larger of the two buildings

built from white concrete, the cultural center — the larger of the two structures — appears to hover above a transparent glass base that exposes the café and games rooms below. meanwhile, climbing to the second floor, a curved ramp creates a continuous pathway that ascends gently. the culture center intends to promote community interaction and recreation, with an exhibition area, café, library, gym, and youth activity areas.

the development intends to promote community interaction and recreation

positioned opposite, the health center is shaped by the curves of the public square, developing a relationship with the landscape. the building, made from the same white concrete, serves as a health and education center, housing a pharmacy, consultation and examination rooms, a nursery area, and lounges.

the concept of ‘clouds and time’ underscores the scheme

both buildings are topped with green sedum roofs that allow the structures to blend further with the landscape when seen from above. the quarter circle pool and fountain reflects the central space and provides rainwater recycling. the buildings, which are geothermally cooled, are designed for LEED platinum certification.

a curved ramp creates a continuous pathway that ascends gently

watercolor painting by steven holl

an interior courtyard is open to the sky

the landscape is articulated in large clock-like circles

the shanghai cofco cultural and health center is set to complete in 2018

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project info:

program: health center: health education area, pharmacy, consultation rooms, exam rooms, physical therapy room, ultrasound / xray rooms, nursery, admin and doctors lounges; cultural center: exhibition area, table game area, cafe, library, gym, community and youth activity areas
project type: direct commission
cultural center area: 6,030 sqm
health center area: 1,490 sqm
site area: 7,520 sqm

architect: steven holl architects; steven holl (design architect); roberto bannura (director-in-charge); noah yaffe (partner-in-charge); xi chen (project architect); wenying sun, ruoyu wei, dimitra tsachrelia, okki berendschot, pu yun, elise riley, lydia liu, tsung-yen hsieh, michael haddy, yi ren (project team)
associate architects: east china architectural design & research institute
structural engineer: east china architectural design & research institute

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