Architecture bears witness to a city's evolution. In community development, preserving key historical structures is crucial for urban renewal, as these buildings convey compelling narratives of a community’s transformation through their unique forms.
Columbia Circle Phase II, located at No. 1262 West Yan’an Road in Shanghai, extends Columbia Circle, first opened in 2018. While Phase I focused on preserving 1920s historical buildings, Phase II emphasises integrating modern architecture with these historical structures. It includes five new multi-storey buildings, and open spaces like connecting streets, courtyards, and plazas. Together, they create an “ideal place” for community life with commercial, office, leisure, entertainment, and cultural spaces.
The Oval Partnership, responsible for the overall planning of Phase II, aimed to enrich the urban narrative by ensuring harmonious integration with Phase I's historical architecture. The building complex consists of smaller units, with accessibility enhanced through elevated corridors and three-dimensional pedestrian networks. The design also considers ventilation, natural lighting, and shading to improve the overall comfort.
Columbia Circle Phase II has a diverse layout. The first and second floors are for commercial use and dining, while the upper floors host offices and venues for cultural and sporting activities. This new destination offers Shanghai locals a place to shop, work, play, and enjoy seasonal pop-ups and community events. Facilities such as sports park, leisure corridors, and cultural galleries meet residents’ needs for relaxation and cultural exploration.
In terms of placemaking, Columbia Circle Phase II incorporated extensive green spaces. Meticulously arranged greenery, including cedar trees and ferns, creates a layered natural landscape, providing locals with a relaxing ambience. Outdoor dining and recreational spaces foster deeper connection between visitors. Rooftop gardens, small terraces and corner gardens invite exploration of urban development.
Columbia Circle Phase II actively preserves and advocates for Shanghai’s urban historical and cultural heritage. Building facades in beige and grey echo Phase I aesthetics, while natural materials and industrial aesthetics restore the charm of original architecture. Brutalist materials like washed and rough stone finishes provide textures reminiscent of Phase I's rawness. The functionalist Bauhaus design, with bold and minimalist lines, offers a modern aesthetic in contrast to Phase I’s industrial structures. Historical fragments, such as archways, are embedded into the design, blending urban memories with modern architecture. Here, old and new architecture engage in dialogue, crafting the next chapter in urban renewal and community development.
