taking the first step in turning a 450,000 m2 steel production establishment into a visionary, eco-industrial park, architecture firm kokaistudios has transformed a pre-existing shanghai factory building into the baoshan exhibition center. a first milestone in a multifaceted mixed-use project, the new structure preserves the industrial legacy of baosteel company, while setting the stage for its future functions.
general view
all images by terrence zhang
designed with the purpose of exhibiting models, drawings, and plans outlining the wider development, kokaistudios‘exhibition center will welcome an audience of developers, clients, and prospective tenants of the broader scheme. the facility will also play an important educational role by hosting students interested in green energy strategies. central to the project will be baosteel’s new waste-to-energy power plant, and around it, a mixed-use landscape comprising wetland areas, a park, museum, and offices.
west facade
the site was formerly home to baosteel’s primary steel mill. with a majority of its factory facilities demolished, the exhibition center occupies one of only a handful of original structures left on the plot. although long abandoned, the 725 m2 building was nonetheless striking, thanks to its historic character, which the architects strived to preserve and highlight.
perspective to northwest facade before renovation
the design follows a lightweight approach: a fully independent polycarbonate envelope positioned within the perimeter of the original structure. not only does the solution resolve several of the project’s technical issues, but at the same time, the translucent material creates a complementary contrast with the bulk and weight of the preserved piping and rusted machines. the resulting aesthetic generates an interesting dialogue between historical and contemporary, opacity and transparency, warm and cool materiality.
detailed facade
the material’s translucency allows sufficient natural light to penetrate the interior, offering visitors a very literal glimpse into this landmark project. by night, light from inside lends the building an intriguing glow.
perspective from building to the tower
inside, materials are kept similarly light and in keeping with the project’s broader ecological focus, fully recyclable. alongside the polycarbonate facade and roof, floors are finished in concrete tiles, and the facility’s bathrooms feature stainless steel cladding. in the exhibition hall, natural elements including wood veneer partitions connect to the parkland beyond; and colorful, freestanding furniture lends the space total flexibility.
leisure space
lounge and meeting room
bird view with surroundings
northwest view
interlaced light and shadow through the facade
harmony between landscape and facade
project info:
name: baoshan WTE exhibition center
architecture office: kokaistudios
lead architects: andrea destefanis, filippo gabbiani
location: shanghai, china
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edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom
