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The structure was originally a closed unit within a century-old cement factory dedicated to mixing raw materials. The renovation preserves its existing form and structure while paying homage to its original purpose, transforming it into a versatile venue that mixes daily life with various events. The design respects its existing form and structure by carefully integrating new facilities and structures to meet current and future functional needs. Old and new elements are juxtaposed as independent layers, coexisting harmoniously. The space quality of the dome has been kept as a 3000m2 central flexible space. The once-closed building roof and façade have been upgraded with energy-efficient, transparent materials, creating an open gesture to the public and reducing operational carbon emissions.
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Carrying the 100-year history of national industry, Shanghai West Bund is currently developing into the largest cultural and artistic district in Asia. As one of the anchor venues of West Bund Culture Corridor along Huangpu River, the Dome continues to be a centerpiece surrounded by parks, plazas, and other cultural institutes. A series of newly inserted flexible lobbies along the building perimeter encourage the public to walk in and explore freely. All-glass new façade maximizes viewing opportunities between exterior and interior. At night, the dome’s translucent roof glows like a latten and reveals the activities inside to its surroundings. Since opened in September 2023, the Dome has been a busy destination for a variety of world-class performances, events, and art exhibitions.
The sustainable strategies aim to significantly reduce both embodied and operational carbon footprint of the project. In addition to reusing the entire existing structure, various non-traditional materials with high recycled contents are used to reduce embodied carbon. The façade is characterized by a series of piers clad with prefabricated GRC panels, with a high percentage of postconsumer recycled green glass aggregates. Its life-cycle embodied carbon is only one-third of typical aluminum façade cladding. The central space is flooded with gentle natural daylight through layered polycarbonate roof panels with cavity louvers, eliminating the need of significant artificial lighting during the day while achieving the desired high thermal performance.
Located at the heart of the city, this former industrial building boasts a prime location, expansive land areas, and open public spaces. Architects have discovered the unique value of this building and explored possibilities for adaptive reuse. Connected to culture and nature, the renovated building draws citizens to the waterfront and breathes new life into the abandoned industrial base, revitalizing the neighborhood. The venue, capable of accommodating 2,500 individuals, has already become an urban living room, hosting events such as farmers' markets, exhibitions, concerts, and sports events since its completion. The design has carefully preserved and represented the most valuable aspects of the original architecture, including its unique form, steel roof structure, and vast interior scale. In line with the functional transformation from an industrial facility to a cultural landmark, the project redefined its relationship with the historical context and surrounding environment through meticulous renovation of the roof, facade, and newly inserted interior spaces. In the context of carbon emission reduction pledges, such exploration further highlights the advantages of sustainability. Sustainability is seamlessly woven into various aspects such as functionality, materiality, and aesthetics, as evidenced by the naturally lit central space, high-performance envelope, façade materials with highly recycled contents, and many other design considerations.
"The redevelopment of this industrial remnant at West Bund not only reflects a respectful acknowledgment of the history of this area, but also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and innovation. We hope to inject new functional activities into such spaces, allowing dialogues between history and future, between industry and arts, to be reactivated and voiced within this container." Keyang Ye, Deputy General Manager of West Bund Group
Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL) was founded in Aarhus, Denmark in 1986. The firm is one of Scandinavia’s most recognized and award-winning architectural practices. Working out of studios located in Copenhagen and Shanghai, the firm provides skilled architectural services all over the world, with a distinguished track record as designers of international, high-profile architecture. Cultural and educational buildings, offices, commercial, retail, and residential buildings, often in mixed-use developments and complex urban contexts, are cornerstones of the firm’s output. The practice has extensive global experience in the design of libraries and other public and cultural landmark buildings—including Shanghai East Library in Shanghai, China; Dokk1 in Aarhus, Denmark; and the Halifax Central Library in Halifax, Canada. SHL’s innovative, sustainable, and democratic approach to architecture has attracted global attention, winning more than 100 national and international awards.
