shanghai-based young architectural office archunits has recently completed the exterior and interior renovation of an office building near shanghai?s jing?an temple. the original building, built in the 1990 and packed with small, crowded office rooms, has been transformed into a new type of office community of openness, communication and sharing ? more huashan.

all images © shengliang su
 
 
the architects strategically kept the main structure and original height of the building untouched due to strict renovation restrictions in the historical area. the building is located in the former concession area of shanghai and although it is not a historical building itself, it is surrounded by a wild profusion of camphor trees and traditional lane houses. a large tall concrete wall facing huashan road is the highest point of the original building, and was regarded as the symbol of this building. the tall wall is retained, and it becomes the starting point of the design.
 
 
starting from the tall wall, archunits has reshaped the morphological relationship of the facade with some curved surface in key locations, so as to mitigate the original rigid building boundary, and soften the visual perception of the whole building. this makes the building have a softer presence in the surrounding historical district.

 
 
the facade features a complete solid wall, which the architects kept untouched. they inserted vertical lamella on the sides, which act as west sunshades to provi...