Zhang Gardens
West Nanjing Road Tower
Tower commissioned on busy Shanghai metro station of West Nanjing Road will be rising up to 180 meter high . The current three metro lines meeting in the area has no direct underground transfer connection. The project solves this problem, while relocating few heritage buildings, to open up space for sunken plazas, creates new commercial opportunities, to attract investors.
The tower will take the plot of former public garden commissioned by Mr. Zhang famous of his philanthropy. Design of the tower is honoring heritage, showcasing historical building's that used to occupy gardens, relocating them right on top of tower's podium.
The hanging gardens of the podium climbs up the tower, opening public terraces to the stunning views of protected historical Shikumen houses.
Above. Match box depicting Zhang Gardens used as inspiration for the project development.
Before the downfall of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Zhang Yuan served as a venue for political forums. There were many ‘firsts’ in this garden — the first Western-style wedding, the first women’s speech, the first time revolutionary figures cut their pigtails (regarded as a symbol for feudalism) in the public and the first outdoor photography studio. Renowned Chinese painter Liu Haisu exhibited his first nudes here. During the heydays, Zhang Yuan was the setting for women’s fashion in Shanghai.
With the opening of the Great World amusement complex in 1918, which was packed with slot machines, magic shows and fireworks, Zhang Yuan gradually lost its appeal and was redeveloped again into a premier shikumen residential block featuring independent villas and terrace houses.
Honoring the the legacy of Zhang philanthropy public spaces recreated on the site.
Selected heritage pieces are relocated on to the podium, showcasing their fine historical styles. Podium is lifted from the ground opening spaces underneath itself as well as on it's top terraces. Opening stuning views to the rooftops of M.O.S.S. (Memory Of Shanghai Shikumen)
Zhang Gardens continues all the way up to the roof terraces, making space for creative offices and studios, with amphitheaters and spaces blurring boundaries between outside and inside, past and present.
180 m High
38 Floors
4.5 m Office floor height
2280 m² Floor plate (38x60m)
Column free corners
Column free corners
GFA 90 000 m²
