Julu Place 758 | Shanghai, China | 2018

Architects: Yuangou Architects & Consultants Ltd.
General Contractor: Shanghai Youwan Design Co., Ltd. 
Clients: Lost Heaven Restaurant Group and Shanghai Fuhan Enterprise Development Co., Ltd.
Photographers: Pan Shuang

758 Julu, built in 1960, was originally the Shanghai Yi Power Plant. Although it is not a cultural relic or heritage-protected, the buildings of each era are a very precious part of the city’s history and carry traces of time. 

The main facade of the first phase is located along Julu Road. The central consideration is the relationship between the building and the city street. The division of facade doors and windows is reintegrated to create a simple and attractive facade along the street on the first floor of the building.

There are many single buildings in the second phase of the project. They were built in different eras, and the entire building complex is in a state of disorder.

A new balance was found for the building through the shaping of places and the conversion of spaces. The designer connects seven buildings from No. 3 to No. 9 with indoor and outdoor corridors. This makes several buildings that have a vague and messy relationship with each other form an accessible and diverse spatial combination.

This approach improves traffic efficiency, enhances the overall sense of the building image, and at the same time provides a richer space experience and opportunities for indoor and outdoor interaction. The utilization of the roof provides a unique perspective of the bustling Jing'an.

In terms of external landscape, the central square of the site was set aside for the arrangement of the market. This series of practices made the originally abandoned and chaotic industrial relics form an organic whole, which in turn stimulated the vitality of this site.

By constructing a transitional space with corridors, shared spaces, and public spaces as the main body, various office functions are connected to form a shared, open, and interactive space experience. The original functional boundary is open.

Transformation of functions and optimization of resources are beneficial to fire protection. It is also hoped that the reconstructed building will be clearly marked and revealing, so as to increase its popularity.

When entering the inner courtyard of the building from the main entrance, it just faces the south facade of Building 3. The south facade adopts simple design techniques to form the first display surface, which is a prelude.

Turn right and enter the inner courtyard, where the water tower is used as the second display surface, and also as the climax of the entire building complex. Looking further to the north, it is in opposition to the office buildings in the Jing'an Temple business district.

Through the color analysis along the street, it is found that beige, brick red, gray, and coffee are the main colors of facades along Julu Road. In order to continue the spatial feeling of the street, the reconstructed building can be integrated and coordinated with the surrounding environment. The design started with the main color of the facade, while beige and coffee were chosen as the main colors of the building.