SHANGHAI

Project Background

For over a century, this site embodied a glorious industrial legacy—dormant shipways, the Far East’s largest historic dry dock, and iconic cargo-handling facilities—all reimagined through our spatial interventions. These industrial relics now transform into vibrant hubs for urban art, cultural events, and creative leisure, adding a dynamic new layer to the Huangpu River waterfront. In the 21st century, cultural vitality drives urban competitiveness; future global cities must be cultural capitals.

Site & Scope

Located at the western gateway of Yangpu District’s southern waterfront, the project borders the Huangpu River. The 1-kilometer-long site stretches from Qinhuangdao Road (west) to the Water Plant Pier (east), covering 53,900 sqm. Designed from July 2016 through construction completion in September 2017, it opened to the public on October 1, 2017.

Design Approach

As part of the Huangpu Riverfront revitalization, our design rigorously preserves the site’s industrial heritage—authentically showcasing century-old shipyard structures and traces—while celebrating Yangpu’s history as the birthplace of modern industry. The layout organizes diverse public activity zones based on original operational footprints, forging a tangible dialogue between historical workflows and contemporary waterfront life. Four key spatial segments are linked via preserved gantry crane rails, creating a unified narrative of past and present.