A groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation and extension of the former Shanghai City Hall has taken place, attended by guests from the worlds of politics, business and culture.
Following an international competition in 2015, David Chipperfield Architects was appointed to redevelop the complex which takes up an entire city block in central Shanghai. The main focus of the project is the repair and completion of a series of finished and unfinished historic buildings. These include the incomplete Shanghai Municipal Council, classified as a cultural heritage building, and the so-called Red Building. New additions will complement the historic buildings, incorporating new uses and transforming the site for public use. The design combines the rich history and architecture of the complex with the contemporary urban demands of the city to re-imagine the unfinished masterplan originally proposed a century ago.
Image © Haowen Xu