GLOBAL DESIGN PRINCIPAL
IM SHANGHAI
A LAYERED MOUNTAINOUS EXPERIENCE OF WILD NATURE
The development , located at the intersection of Kaixuan Road and Huaihai West Road of Changning District and conveniently accessible via MTR Line 10 at Hongqiao Road Station , is adjacent to the Shanghai City Sculpture Art Centre , and Redtown Art District . The site is not among any of the CBDs in Shanghai . Thus , a primary and key purpose of the development is to drive business value by attracting tenants and consumers as it integrates with the surrounding context . “ Our goal is to shape IM Shanghai into a singular location where social gathering takes place within a natural setting , in an effort to promote interpersonal communication in the era of the online world .” Aedas Global Design Principal Christine Lam explains .
AN INK SCROLL DEPICTING A RUGGED LANDSCAPE Derived from the concept of mountains , the development stands to present stratified geology providing pinnacles , caves , rocks , and waterfalls in the valleys , with geometric office towers expressing as mountain peaks and rock-shaped pavilions lining alongside the busy traffic flow in between to form a dynamic streetscape . A cultural tower , 3 office towers , 2 exhibition pavilions , and 5 retail pavilions within the development are strategically scattered on the site to form a layered mountainous experience of wild nature . Ascending office towers are sculpted with powerful tapering cuts , expressing as mountain peaks and leading the eyes to the apex . Inspired by traditional Chinese landscape painting , layering of a mountainous contour is depicted by using Void and Solid striation , which also assist in complying with the glazing to wall ratio requirement .
Along Kaitian Road features a dynamic serrated façade symbolizing fissure through the mountain , together with busy traffic flowing inbetween , a vibrant streetscape is created . Rock-inspired pavilions are featured with surface details of symbolic “ cracks ”, and cut-out terraces on top forming unique forms for each block and allowing consumers to enjoy an uninterrupted view of the “ mountainous ” scenery they are in . Cave-like sunken plazas are smartly set to allow natural daylight into the basement as it enhances pedestrian circulation and connection between the northern and southern part of the development .
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