Project Overview

The project reimagines Shanghai’s cultural and urban identity through the lens of Art Deco, blending historical motifs (Huangpu River waves, the Bund’s grandeur, magnolia elegance) with a futuristic vision. By deconstructing these elements via geometric forms and material contrasts—luxury stone, metal, light/shadow—it creates a dialogue between past and future, East and West. The space serves as a “mobile city museum,” merging Shanghai’s modernity, inclusivity, and ambition into an immersive experience where history and innovation coexist.

Project Commissioner

Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Shanghai

Project Creator

XIAMEN JIEZUO DESIGN CO., LTD/WUXI DONGFANG H.P.S.E. CO., LTD

Team

Yu Jet, Kang Kang, Ying Zhen, Yang Longrong, Cheng Haigang, Ni Changqing, Huangquan Shui, Pan Guoping, Xia Qiong

Project Brief

Step into a space where Art Deco’s golden age collides with tomorrow. The atrium, crowned by a galaxy-inspired dome, unfolds as a dynamic theatre: dual-layer LED screens animate the Huangpu River’s tides and the Bund’s neon glow, while a spiral staircase mimics cascading waves.

Materials like cloisonné and matte metal embody day-night contrasts, and curved geometries evoke the river’s flow. At night, light transforms into a “poetic code,” whispering tales of starlight and urban energy. This is not mere design—it’s a time-travelling odyssey through Shanghai’s soul.

Project Need

The project innovates by reinterpreting Art Deco through cutting-edge technology and cultural storytelling. Unlike traditional static designs, it employs interactive LED systems to merge natural motifs (river tides, constellations) with real-time data, creating a multisensory narrative.

Materials like Pandora stone and cloisonné are reimagined as “natural paintings,” embedding local history into surfaces. By abstracting Shanghai’s icons (magnolias, the Pearl Tower) into geometric totems, it bridges heritage with futurism, offering a fresh paradigm for cultural spaces.

Design Challenge

Balancing Art Deco’s opulence with minimalism posed a key challenge. Materials risked overwhelming the space, so restraint was critical—using matte metals instead of glossy finishes, simplifying magnolia motifs into geometric patterns.

Technical hurdles included synchronising LED screens to mimic river rhythms and ensuring the spiral staircase’s fluid form retained structural integrity. Additionally, weaving Shanghai’s dual identity (historical Bund vs. modern metropolis) required harmonising contrasting textures (warm brick vs. cold metal) without visual discord.

Sustainability

While not explicitly eco-focused, the design emphasises cultural and economic sustainability. Locally resonant materials (river-inspired stone, cloisonné) reduce the need for imported decor, while durable finishes (metal, stone) ensure longevity.

The LED system’s adaptability allows content updates without physical renovations, minimising waste. By celebrating Shanghai’s heritage, the space fosters pride and continuity, ensuring relevance as a “spiritual container” for future generations—a sustainable approach to preserving urban identity.

Interior Design - International Hospitality

Open to all international projects this award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes, aesthetic presentation and functionality. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.  

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