"Century Square has always occupied a strategic position in Shanghai's urban sequence, acting as a hinge between major civic and waterfront destinations. Historically characterized by night lights, shows, and commercial presentations, the site demanded a redesign that could maintain its performative identity while broadening its social and environmental role. The proposal by the team at EMBT retains the capacity of the square for spectacle but shifts its emphasis toward flexibility and daily use."
"The project draws on the literal meaning of Shanghai, 'upon the sea,' translating this origin into spatial and material metaphors. The design imagines the square as a shell opening to reveal a pearl, the central Kaleidoscope, which reflects and reframes fragments of the city like shifting water surfaces. Underfoot, a new paving pattern evokes an undersea world. By night, integrated lighting transforms the ground into a glittering field, reinforcing the maritime narrative while maintaining the historic association of the square with luminous display."
Benedetta Tagliabue—EMBT completed the renewal of Century Square on East Nanjing Road, transforming it into an ecological and interactive public space anchored by a central Kaleidoscope. The design translates Shanghai's maritime origins into spatial metaphors: a shell revealing a pearl, reflective surfaces, undersea-inspired paving, and integrated nighttime lighting. The square links People's Square to The Bund and operates as a green urban living room that foregrounds climate responsiveness. Flexible event zones, exhibition areas, generous seating, and a permeable landscape accommodate both large gatherings and everyday public life while maintaining capacity for spectacle.
Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine
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