Steven Holl Architects Unveils Plans for Cloud-Like Cultural and Health Center in Shanghai

Steven Holl Architects has revealed plans for a new Cultural and Health Center to be located in Shanghai’s Fengxian District. Set into the public landscape, the two buildings will serve as a “social condenser” aimed at integrating the community of surrounding housing blocks together into a park along the Punan Canal.

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Steven Holl Architects Unveils Plans for Cloud-Like Cultural and Health Center in Shanghai - Facade
Cultural Center East Facade. Image © Steven Holl Architects

Employing an open, community-driven approach, the project scheme has been inspired by the concept of  “Clouds & Time,” a reference to philosopher Karl Popper’s famous 1965 lecture on the evolutionary model of free will, “Of Clouds and Clocks.” Several clock-like circles form the central public space, where the cloud-like, white concrete buildings invite in visitors through their porosity and openness.

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Watercolor - Landscape. Image © Steven Holl Architects
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Site Plan. Image © Steven Holl Architects

The Cultural Center has been designed for maximum community interaction, featuring a library, gym, exhibition areas and recreational facilities. The white mass of the upper floors hovers above a transparent glass base, exposing a café and game rooms. From the base, a curved ramp leads visitors up to the second floor. A variety of openings along the facade provide a connection between the interior and the wider neighborhood outside.

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Cultural Center Water View. Image © Steven Holl Architects
Steven Holl Architects Unveils Plans for Cloud-Like Cultural and Health Center in Shanghai - Handrail
Cultural Center Interior. Image © Steven Holl Architects

Across the plaza, the footprint of the Health Center has been dedicated by the curves of the landscape, strengthening its relationship to the plan’s core concept of “Clouds & Time.” Within, the building will house a health consultation and education center, which will include a pharmacy, consultation and examination rooms, a nursery area and lounges.

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Watercolor - Clouds & Clocks. Image © Steven Holl Architects
Steven Holl Architects Unveils Plans for Cloud-Like Cultural and Health Center in Shanghai - Stairs, Handrail
Cultural Center Interior. Image © Steven Holl Architects

Both buildings will be finished off with green sedum roofs and will feature geothermal cooling systems while the quarter circle pool and fountain in the central plaza will provide rainwater recycling. Together, these elements will allow the building to achieve a LEED platinum certification.

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Sustainability Axonometric. Image © Steven Holl Architects

“To work on Architecture for Culture and Health is a social commitment, during these challenging times,” commented Steven Holl.

The project was commissioned by China's largest food processing company, COFCO, in the Summer 2016.

News via Steven Holl Architects.

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Model. Image © Steven Holl Architects
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Cultural Center Interior Court. Image © Steven Holl Architects
  • Architects

  • Location

    Shanghai, China
  • Design Architect

    Steven Holl
  • Director-in-Charge

    Roberto Bannura
  • Partner-in-Charge

    Noah Yaffe
  • Project Architect

    Xi Chen
  • Project Team

    Wenying Sun, Ruoyu Wei, Dimitra Tsachrelia, Okki Berendschot, Pu Yun, Elise Riley, Lydia Liu, Tsung-Yen Hsieh, Michael Haddy, Yi Ren
  • Associate Architects

    East China Architectural Design and Research Institute
  • Structural Engineer

    East China Architectural Design and Research Institute
  • Health Center Program

    health education area, pharmacy, consultation rooms, exam rooms, physical therapy room, ultrasound / xray rooms, nursery, admin & doctors lounges
  • Cultural Center Program

    exhibition area, table game area, cafe, library, gym, community & youth activity areas
  • Health Center Area

    1490 m2
  • Cultural Center Area

    6030 m2
  • Area

    7520.0 m2
  • Project Year

    2018
  • Photographs

    Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects
  • Architects

Project gallery

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About this office
Cite: Patrick Lynch. "Steven Holl Architects Unveils Plans for Cloud-Like Cultural and Health Center in Shanghai" 25 Jan 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/804131/steven-holl-architects-unveils-plans-for-cloud-like-cultural-and-health-center-in-shanghai> ISSN 0719-8884

Overal Aerial. Image © Steven Holl Architects

斯蒂文·霍尔建筑师事务所揭幕上海项目——云状的文化和健康中心规划

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