VANKE CREATIVE HUB

This development of the Shanghai Art village needs to represent ‘Creative Shanghai’ and in that way represent Chinese Artists to the world. If done in the right way it can become one of the most vibrant art communities in the world. It will encompass a new center or genesis point for art creation in Shanghai.

It can also be the center for creative culture that surrounds art communities, bars, cafes, architect studios, exhibition areas, press buildings. All of which become the ‘infrastructure’ for a creative community to develop and grow. It is extremely important to make a mix of program and tenants for this development that makes sense, mixing artists, film makers, press houses, architect studios, galleries, larger cultural entities, such as science centers and retail such as cafes, restaurants and shops.

The site is primarily south facing with a large body of water to the south. This will create large amounts of sunlight in the summer with a lower sun in the winter. The site will primarily be used in the daytime between 9 to 6 and therefore we need to plan accordingly with building massing and facade treatment in order to get the light to be of a good quality in all exterior public space but also in all interiors.

The quality in this site is the view to the surrounding bodies of water. It is one of the most interesting and attractive features of the entire development. In any proposal we must analyze all view lines and try and get as many views from the buildings interiors towards the water to have a visual link with this natural resource. We must also activate the waterfront area to allow cafes and restaurants to have an engagement with the
waterfront.

We need to create a connection to the waterfront and canal area in order to fully maximize the ability of the project to become a waterfront district. The combination of the buildings to the water will greatly improve the buildings psychological impact on its inhabitants, making it a more enjoyable place to work and create.

We need to create a green district which becomes an icon for shanghai as a leading sustainable project. By using technologies like ground water pumps, heat exchangers, brise-soleils, low-e glazing we can vastly improve the carbon footprint of each project. This will not only be good for the environment but will help the brand of the Art Village in order to attract major companies and small business’s.

Sustainability is more than just the word ‘green’. It applies to how successful developments are, that they have the right mix of program, the right materials and spaces that make them successful urban environments. We wish to make this a socially sustainable environment and make it enjoyable for people to work and create here.

The third key ingredient to sustainability is financial sustainability. The project must be delivered on budget and on time. It must have an appropriate cost that is high low enough to allow the target audience to rent but at the same time create a high enough profit for Vanke in order that they can keep creating China’s future.