A sustainable, future-embracing R&D hub, where people and the environment coexist harmoniously

“Innovation Park”

This R&D facility, established by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in Jiading District, Shanghai, China, is a research and development hub dedicated to advancing cutting-edge research in areas such as autonomous driving in order to realize a “mobility society” in China. The facility is designed as an ‘innovation park’—a park-like environment that embraces both nature and society, fostering harmony between people and the environment while enabling collaboration among researchers and other workers.

The surrounding area serves as a hub for Shanghai’s automotive and technology sectors and is now undergoing redevelopment to attract businesses and evolve into an innovation district focused on autonomous driving and fuel cell (FC) technology and other areas. The district is particularly proactive in developing and attracting autonomous driving tech and features a dedicated public road-testing area. The adjacent Tongji University is a leader in China's fuel cell and hydrogen sector, driving industry-government-academia collaboration and R&D to support China's hydrogen society. The building is set back to create a vast green plaza in front that meets stringent greening standards. Designed with biophilic principles, it serves as a versatile space for recreation and gatherings, as well as for evacuation in times of emergency, and accommodates food trucks and sporting events.

60m x 60m Universal Space

The building is a seven-story structure with a total floor area of approximately 46,000 m². By dispersing vertical circulation routes and utility rooms along a north-south axis, a 60m x 60m universal space is created at the center of each floor which accommodates the expansion and evolution of research activities. The perimeter features service balconies on all sides, and can accommodate future modifications and additions. This minimizes duct and piping lengths while remaining mindful of evacuation routes and short/long-term maintenance accessibility. Together with louvers, these balconies also provide solar shading.

The structural plan employs a 12m x 12m module system to maximize economic efficiency. Precast concrete (PC) beams and floor slabs form the primary structural elements, streamlining and rationalizing construction. The plan also meets the specific assembly requirements stipulated by the city of Shanghai.

Light Wing Louvers Reflect the Environment

The building’s distinctive Light Wing louvers, which have been optimized for solar load reduction with the help of cutting-edge simulation technology, draw inspiration from character lines in automotive design. They embody the advanced functionality befitting a mobility company, creating an iconic exterior with optimal environmental performance. A computational design strategy was applied to the west façade to address the challenge of intense afternoon sun. This method derived optimal solutions from countless patterns. Key factors included balcony projection depth, and the density, angle and shape of the vertical louvers. The Light Wing’s perforated openings diffuse natural light into the interior while minimizing glare, all with an emphasis on visual appeal.

Innovation Void Fosters Co-creation

The atrium space, which utilizes the stairwell landing that connects each floor vertically, serves as a co-creation space (“Innovation Void”) linking business departments and research fields. It is intended as a comfortable space where people can gather and find their own place like perched birds, fostering interaction within natural movement flows. This is achieved by creating diverse areas with intersecting sightlines via staggered floor plans and differentiated ceiling heights, which enable occupants to share a pleasant atmosphere.

Regarding work styles at the new hub, an agile process integrating hardware and software was adopted. After thorough discussions with users about the optimal workplace environment, designers were able to incorporate feedback throughout the project. This approach reflects the distinctive usage patterns and spatial design of this R&D facility, tailored to the collaborative dynamic between Chinese and Japanese staff.

Hydrogen Initiatives for a Decarbonized Society

As a global company, Toyota is committed to an environmental policy of achieving a carbon-free society by introducing energy-saving technologies such as natural energy utilization and solar power generation, contributing to environmental conservation. Specifically, by implementing hydrogen-related equipment for H2 power generation, this plan calls for taking the pioneering R&D lead in its field and supplies the equivalent of one floor of electricity through the implementation of hydrogen-generated power. By fostering joint projects with university research institutions, the facility builds core technologies essential for decarbonization such as energy management and fuel cell (FC) power generation/cogeneration - while actively advancing experiments in hydrogen-related technologies.

These activities represent a sustainable, next-generation R&D unit that continuously evolves and looks ahead to the future for the sake of the global environment, society, and people. It aims to realize “happiness” for all through mobility in a current era marked by frequent unexpected events and disasters, such as global climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project Details

Project name: TOYOTA Research and Development Center
Purpose: Research institute
Location（prefecture, city): 6333 Jiasong North Road, Jiading District, Shanghai, China
Site area: 41,062.5 sqm
Total floor area: 46,002.8 sqm
Number of floors: Seven above-ground floors
Eave height/maximum height: 45.99 m
Main structure: Reinforced concrete construction (partially precast concrete structure), partial steel frame construction
Building completion: May 2023. Overall completion: December 2023

Credits

Client name: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Lead architect: Nikken Sekkei Ltd
Main scope: Nikken Sekkei Ltd (concept design, design supervision); Shimizu Corporation (design development)
JV, joint design, supervision, consulting, etc.: SINOPEC Shanghai Engineering Co., Ltd.application design; Shanghai X'roots Consultant for Investment Co., Ltd.（planning); China Automotive Engineering Research Institute Co., Ltd.（supervision）
Construction Contractor: Shimizu Corporation (China) Limited
Other cooperating companies: Field Four Design Office (Interior)
Photo credit: Shimizu Corporation