One of the most important new buildings in China’s financial center was inaugurated this morning in Shanghai, designed by the Florentine studio Archea of the internationally renowned architect Marco Casamonti. A 16-storey building characterized by a long ramp (1 km) in Corten positioned on the west facade which constitutes an access route to the various floors, while two ramps to the west and south-east lead to the underground garages.
The building – the new headquarters of the East China Electronic Power Design Institute – aims to integrate the various functions within a single block where all functional needs are centralized, making the project more economical and efficient. The intervention aimed to respect the existing scene and respond to the characteristics of the site, taking into account the urban landscape and general planning requirements.
The property overlooks two main roads in the city of Shanghai: Wuning Road to the east and Zhongshan North Road (Inner Ring Elevated) to the south, a position that gives it the potential to become a city landmark. The project maintains two entrances on Wuning Road used one as the main access and the other as a secondary entrance for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
The building is spread over sixteen levels above ground for a surface area of 50,000 m2 and two underground floors of 25,000 m2 for a total of 75,000 m2. The first floors host multiple functions: reception, meeting rooms, exhibition area, gym, conference room, archive. The intermediate floors are open spaces intended for work areas, while the top floors are used as executive offices and meeting rooms. The roof, however, has a more recreational function thanks to the presence of a small bar and a garden.