HOUSE OF ROCKBUND

Rockbund—where history and modernity meet—witnesses Shanghai's modern trade and cultural exchanges first took root. Drawing inspiration from this and guided by the core concept of the "Heart of the City", the project preserves the historical "shell" while embedding a contemporary "heart", retaining the urban fabric of the Bund origin while infusing the building with a new sense of publicness and interactivity. It thus becomes a dynamic intersection of urban memory, creative culture, and everyday life.
The project seeks to dissolve the boundaries between building and blocks, as well as interior and exterior. It transforms the previously hidden consultancy center into a transparent, welcoming, and visually accessible spatial hub. By removing three existing solid walls and installing full-height glass facades, it breaks down visual barriers and gives the building a breathable and warmly inviting presence, day and night. The spatial layout is designed for maximum flexibility: the ground floor can switch seamlessly between visitor reception and exhibition curation, while the second floor transitions effortlessly from a daytime VIP lounge into a nighttime bar. Combined with movable display cabinets, replaceable metal perforated panels, and color-tunable lighting systems, the project creates a "dynamically adaptive", high-performance hybrid space.
Guided by the principle of "Minimal Intervention, Maximum Adaptation", the project retains the historic structure while enabling long-term, flexible, and low-energy operation. Material-wise, the matte beige granite from the outdoor square extends into the interior, creating a seamless visual flow. The detachable stainless steel perforated panels offer both exhibition and concealed service, significantly reducing resource use and renovation costs. The full-glass curtain wall maximizes natural daylight, hugely cutting daytime lighting loads. On the second floor, the dimmable stretch ceiling and color-tunable lighting system respond precisely to day-and-night usage scenarios, creating a strong atmosphere while meeting energy conservation goals.