FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lilong Arcade: A Contemporary Community Center Honoring Shanghai's Heritage and Urban Life

Lilong Arcade, designed by Jiahua Xu, stands as a testament to adaptive urban renewal, transforming a 937m² plot in Shanghai's culturally rich Changning District into a dynamic community center. Completed in August 2024, the project draws inspiration from the classic arcade motif, integrating it with contemporary design to create a natural extension of the city's walkable street system. This approach not only preserves the district's historical character but also addresses the evolving needs of local residents by offering a multifunctional space that encourages social interaction and community engagement.

Central to the design is the innovative use of flexible layouts, combining fixed and mobile areas to maximize the utility of the limited space. The building's facade harmoniously merges historical elements with modern materials, utilizing light-colored bricks and expansive glass windows to enhance transparency and natural lighting. An internal atrium and visual corridors further promote openness, while specialized zones cater to diverse activities, including citizen gatherings, F&B retail, elderly and children's services, healthcare, sports, and adaptable event spaces. This thoughtful spatial organization ensures fair and efficient allocation of public resources, supporting a wide range of community functions within a compact footprint.

Despite strict constraints on building height and volume, the project overcame technical challenges through the use of small column spans, shallow beams, and strategic height variations, achieving both structural efficiency and spatial permeability. The result is a vibrant, accessible environment that respects the area's architectural heritage while fostering a sense of belonging and vitality among residents. Lilong Arcade's success has been recognized with a Bronze A' Design Award, underscoring its contribution to quality of life improvements and its exemplary integration of art, science, and community-focused design.

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