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Jing'An Investment Center
Jing'An Investment Center
Shanghai, China
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Other Projects by NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD
Jing'An Investment Center
Shanghai, China
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2024
SIZE
1,000,000 +
JIC Jing’An Center: Creating Value Through High-Density Urban Regeneration and ‘Vertical Lanes’
The JIC Jing’An Center is an urban regeneration project that integrates mixed-use functions (offices, retail and residential) and is situated adjacent to the Nanjing West Road commercial area in Shanghai’s Jing’An District. There, traditional streetscapes coexist alongside large-scale business hubs. The Center comprises a 180-meter tall super-high-rise tower. Preserved and revitalized historic buildings are retained and incorporated at lower level across the site. The project focuses on preserving historical context while integrating modern functions, presenting a model that transcends the dichotomy of “preservation vs. development.” Shanghai was once home to dense clusters of traditional communal housing known as ‘Lilong’, where people used the alleyways between buildings as communal living spaces. This project adopts the concept of a ‘three-dimensional Lilong’, extending their richness and vibrancy in a vertical fashion. Centered on a three-dimensional circulation route linking the preserved low-rise buildings to the sky gardens and the lower and middle tower section lounges, the design draws the city’s bustle to the upper floors. By seamlessly connecting open spaces that encourage diverse user interactions, the proposal presents a new model for urban regeneration: a next-generation landmark that passes the city’s memories on to the future.
1. Inheriting the urban context and adaptive reuse
Situated in the Jing’An District of Shanghai, the site is adjacent to the Nanjing West Road commercial district. At one time, it was densely populated with ‘lanes’ (Lilong), where the alleys that ran between dwellings served as community living rooms. In this project, we have treated the intimate scale and sense of neighborhood as new assets with which to practice adaptive reuse that realizes contemporary spatial utilization within historical buildings that blend Western terraced houses with Chinese architectural materials. The renovated space, in blending the old and the new, serves as a cultural hub for the local area. The ‘main thoroughfare’ running north-to-south through the block is defined as a walkable open space imbued with a sense of vitality. A series of ‘plazas’ (PLAZA) that create distinctive scenes, along with side streets from which this liveliness spills out, are arranged in succession, naturally drawing people deep into the site. The vibrancy at the ground level extends vertically via the ‘SKYWALK’, which connects the rooftops of the preserved buildings to the lower levels of the tower. This offers a spatial experience where visitors can walk while taking in both the traditional tiled roofs and the modern tower simultaneously and engage in artistic activities and events. This multi-layered network, which utilizes existing stock to enhance the value of public space, embodies a sustainable urban strategy.
2. “Power of place” born from constraints
The tower’s volume was derived through “form-finding”, a process that transforms legal regulations into elements of urban landscape appeal. “Massing operations” designed to meet land-use restrictions create different expressions depending on the viewing angle. These operations arise from coexistence with preserved buildings, as well as from “shadow” regulations that apply to the northern residential area. The building’s volume, which faces the park and residential area to the north, is segmented in accord with the area’s scale. Meanhile, the striking south side facade serves as a landmark facing the city center.
The architectural setbacks in the volume serve as both terraces that offer views of the city and also serve as spaces of convergence that encourage interaction. By linking functional requirements with the urban context, the constraints are transformed into “power of place.”
3. Flexibility and future expandability
One of the project’s spatial innovations -- the evacuation level -- is situated approximately 100 meters above ground and has been redefined as a space for creating future value. The evacuation floor, which would otherwise be a sterile, enclosed space, was transformed into an open-air garden while ensuring safety. More than mere open space, it functions as an observation deck that affords panoramic views of the Shanghai skyline, a rest stop, and a public space. The lounge floor and the open-air garden are accessible via direct elevators from the three-dimensional alleyways in the lower sections. They can flexibly accommodate a diverse range of events and social gatherings linked to the lower levels. This flexibility “encompasses the timeline,” so to speak, leaving room for future lifestyle changes and technological innovation. These include evolving workplace and commercial facility models, as well as future drone and air mobility plans. This sustainable use of space transforms regulatory “dead space” into public space with real estate value and demonstrates new possibilities for super-high-rise architecture.
4. Value Created by design and a prototype for urban regeneration
The alleyway spaces, materials and façade design enhance the unique value of the site, while pursuing the creation of a “sense of place” and environmental performance. Terracotta, which embodies memories, is used in the low-rise section, while fiber cement boards are employed in high public circulation areas of the multi-level alleyway. This design aspect fuses the textures of old and new materials. Aluminum louvres have been employed in the tower section to create a modern and refined aesthetic. The vertical louvres, which shift in appearance depending on the viewing angle, cloak the building in textile-like shadows, also serve to reduce solar heat gain. The facade’s sense of depth sets it apart from the sterile towers typically found in the CBD (Central Business District), establishing a local landmark imbued with history and culture. Through the quality of its planning and design, the JIC Jing’An Center is a project that makes a significant impact on the city. It integrates the conflicting elements of historic building preservation and regeneration with high-density development via a super-tall tower, uniting them through a ‘three-dimensional alleyway’ system of multi-level circulation routes. This approach represents a model that successfully balances the preservation of history with urban renewal.
Project name: Jing'An Investment Center
Purpose: Offices, retail, residential, underground car park
Location: Shanghai, China
Site area: 29,038.5 sqm
Total floor area: 199,000 sqm
Number of floors: -3, +35, PH3
Eave height / maximum height: 180
Main structure: RC (CFT columns)
Completion: December 2024
Client name: Shanghai Jingtou Urban Construction Development Co., Ltd.
Nikken Sekkei‘s main scope: Public buildings (excluding residential sections): Master Planning, Concept Design, Schematic Design, Preliminary Exterior Design.'
- Preserved commercial buildings: Master Planning, Concept Design, Partial Exterior Design.
Local Design Institute (LDI): Shanghai Institute of Architectural Design & Research Co., Ltd.
Residential design: Shanghai HYP-ARCH Architectural Design Consultant Co., Ltd.
Structural design consulting: Arup International Consultants (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
MEP design consulting: WSP Engineering Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Exterior design consulting: Aurecon Engineering Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Lighting design: Shanghai Bifu Lighting Engineering Design Co., Ltd.
Construction Contractor: Shanghai Construction No.2 (Group) Co., Ltd.
Photo credit 1: yangmin/mintwow
Photo credit 2: Nikken Sekkei
The JIC Jing’An Center is an urban regeneration project that integrates mixed-use functions (offices, retail and residential) and is situated adjacent to the Nanjing West Road commercial area in Shanghai’s Jing’An District. There, traditional streetscapes coexist alongside large-scale business hubs. The Center comprises a 180-meter tall super-high-rise tower. Preserved and revitalized historic buildings are retained and incorporated at lower level across the site. The project focuses on preserving historical context while integrating modern functions, presenting a model that transcends the dichotomy of “preservation vs. development.” Shanghai was once home to dense clusters of traditional communal housing known as ‘Lilong’, where people used the alleyways between buildings as communal living spaces. This project adopts the concept of a ‘three-dimensional Lilong’, extending their richness and vibrancy in a vertical fashion. Centered on a three-dimensional circulation route linking the preserved low-rise buildings to the sky gardens and the lower and middle tower section lounges, the design draws the city’s bustle to the upper floors. By seamlessly connecting open spaces that encourage diverse user interactions, the proposal presents a new model for urban regeneration: a next-generation landmark that passes the city’s memories on to the future.
1. Inheriting the urban context and adaptive reuse
Situated in the Jing’An District of Shanghai, the site is adjacent to the Nanjing West Road commercial district. At one time, it was densely populated with ‘lanes’ (Lilong), where the alleys that ran between dwellings served as community living rooms. In this project, we have treated the intimate scale and sense of neighborhood as new assets with which to practice adaptive reuse that realizes contemporary spatial utilization within historical buildings that blend Western terraced houses with Chinese architectural materials. The renovated space, in blending the old and the new, serves as a cultural hub for the local area. The ‘main thoroughfare’ running north-to-south through the block is defined as a walkable open space imbued with a sense of vitality. A series of ‘plazas’ (PLAZA) that create distinctive scenes, along with side streets from which this liveliness spills out, are arranged in succession, naturally drawing people deep into the site. The vibrancy at the ground level extends vertically via the ‘SKYWALK’, which connects the rooftops of the preserved buildings to the lower levels of the tower. This offers a spatial experience where visitors can walk while taking in both the traditional tiled roofs and the modern tower simultaneously and engage in artistic activities and events. This multi-layered network, which utilizes existing stock to enhance the value of public space, embodies a sustainable urban strategy.
2. “Power of place” born from constraints
The tower’s volume was derived through “form-finding”, a process that transforms legal regulations into elements of urban landscape appeal. “Massing operations” designed to meet land-use restrictions create different expressions depending on the viewing angle. These operations arise from coexistence with preserved buildings, as well as from “shadow” regulations that apply to the northern residential area. The building’s volume, which faces the park and residential area to the north, is segmented in accord with the area’s scale. Meanhile, the striking south side facade serves as a landmark facing the city center.
The architectural setbacks in the volume serve as both terraces that offer views of the city and also serve as spaces of convergence that encourage interaction. By linking functional requirements with the urban context, the constraints are transformed into “power of place.”
3. Flexibility and future expandability
One of the project’s spatial innovations -- the evacuation level -- is situated approximately 100 meters above ground and has been redefined as a space for creating future value. The evacuation floor, which would otherwise be a sterile, enclosed space, was transformed into an open-air garden while ensuring safety. More than mere open space, it functions as an observation deck that affords panoramic views of the Shanghai skyline, a rest stop, and a public space. The lounge floor and the open-air garden are accessible via direct elevators from the three-dimensional alleyways in the lower sections. They can flexibly accommodate a diverse range of events and social gatherings linked to the lower levels. This flexibility “encompasses the timeline,” so to speak, leaving room for future lifestyle changes and technological innovation. These include evolving workplace and commercial facility models, as well as future drone and air mobility plans. This sustainable use of space transforms regulatory “dead space” into public space with real estate value and demonstrates new possibilities for super-high-rise architecture.
4. Value Created by design and a prototype for urban regeneration
The alleyway spaces, materials and façade design enhance the unique value of the site, while pursuing the creation of a “sense of place” and environmental performance. Terracotta, which embodies memories, is used in the low-rise section, while fiber cement boards are employed in high public circulation areas of the multi-level alleyway. This design aspect fuses the textures of old and new materials. Aluminum louvres have been employed in the tower section to create a modern and refined aesthetic. The vertical louvres, which shift in appearance depending on the viewing angle, cloak the building in textile-like shadows, also serve to reduce solar heat gain. The facade’s sense of depth sets it apart from the sterile towers typically found in the CBD (Central Business District), establishing a local landmark imbued with history and culture. Through the quality of its planning and design, the JIC Jing’An Center is a project that makes a significant impact on the city. It integrates the conflicting elements of historic building preservation and regeneration with high-density development via a super-tall tower, uniting them through a ‘three-dimensional alleyway’ system of multi-level circulation routes. This approach represents a model that successfully balances the preservation of history with urban renewal.
Project name: Jing'An Investment Center
Purpose: Offices, retail, residential, underground car park
Location: Shanghai, China
Site area: 29,038.5 sqm
Total floor area: 199,000 sqm
Number of floors: -3, +35, PH3
Eave height / maximum height: 180
Main structure: RC (CFT columns)
Completion: December 2024
Client name: Shanghai Jingtou Urban Construction Development Co., Ltd.
Nikken Sekkei‘s main scope: Public buildings (excluding residential sections): Master Planning, Concept Design, Schematic Design, Preliminary Exterior Design.'
- Preserved commercial buildings: Master Planning, Concept Design, Partial Exterior Design.
Local Design Institute (LDI): Shanghai Institute of Architectural Design & Research Co., Ltd.
Residential design: Shanghai HYP-ARCH Architectural Design Consultant Co., Ltd.
Structural design consulting: Arup International Consultants (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
MEP design consulting: WSP Engineering Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Exterior design consulting: Aurecon Engineering Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Lighting design: Shanghai Bifu Lighting Engineering Design Co., Ltd.
Construction Contractor: Shanghai Construction No.2 (Group) Co., Ltd.
Photo credit 1: yangmin/mintwow
Photo credit 2: Nikken Sekkei
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