The 1862 Shipyard is a multi-purpose complex covering 9,000 square metres, designed by the architect Kengo Kuma to reinvent an old 1972 shipyard in the Lujiazui financial district of Pudong, Shanghai
Urban Renovation in Shanghai. New artistic identity for the shipyard
An old shipyard in the financial district of Pudong in Shanghai is being reinvented into a multi-purpose complex through the project of architect Kengo Kuma, who places an emphasis on its continuity from the past through the magnificence of its spaces and materiality
From 2000, the interior of the structure that has been renovated several times in the past, it has started to host art exhibitions and events in the hope of redefining the identity of the shipyard as a cultural center of reference for creativity and artistic expression
Originally the old shipyard was characterized by a sturdy brick grid of 12 meters by 30 meters creating a huge space with an extension over a length of 200 meters, 45 meters deep and 26 meters high. From the outside, the south façade differed from the other brick claddings and was characterized by columns and parabolic beams. Inside, iron staircases and ducts showed signs of deep erosion and decay
The source of inspiration for the renovation project are actually the traces of the past that characterize the magnificence of these structural elements. The challenge of the project is therefore to preserve the monumentality and materiality of the original structure through an architectural redesign using a contemporary approach
The existing brick wall on the north façade has been renovated, while for the west façade overlooking the street, architect Kuma designed a large brick wall consisting of four different shades of red clay that connects the north and south of the building. The structure, suspended by 8mm thick stainless steel cables, progressively blurs with an interplay of nuances towards the transparent south-facing façade
On the inside, on the fifth floor, an east-west atrium connects two other atriums towards the north-south, directly connecting the city with the Huangpu River. To the east, an 800-seat theatre has been constructed where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Puxi skyline. The west façade, on the other hand, has been used to accommodate numerous commercial spaces
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