Community Center | Shanghai Qingpu | China

Urban Village | 城中村

The “Urban Village” project of Fengxi Community in Huaixin Town

Architectural language not only responds to society’s functionalist necessities but also answers questions concerning spiritual-aesthetic needs.


One “vs” Many (Individual “vs” Collective)

The design consists of individual functional units combined to form a multi-functional organic whole.

While “one versus many” might seem like opposites, they actually exist in symbiosis, constantly complementing each other. The goal of the “one” is to contribute to and elevate the “many”, and in turn, the “many” elevates the “one”. For the Many to act as One, connections, directions and unifications are essential.

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” – Aristotle


Influence Of Shanghai Landmark Village Architecture​

  • Small Stacked Volumes (Houses) ​
  • Shaders on windows, doors​
  • Courtyards (Siheyuan)​
  • Distinctive roof lines​
  • Narrow lanes​
  • Materials: Stone, Brick, Wood

Modern Village Typology​

Rather than a singular, monolithic centre, our design ethos gravitates towards a Village Typology characterized by exploration, diversity, and fluid movement. Embracing a contemporary interpretation of the Traditional Chinese Village paradigm, our vision encapsulates a vibrant nexus of communal life.

Dispersed Entrances​

Our architectural typology strategically disperses entry points throughout the building and across various floors, encouraging visitors to engage with the structure from multiple vantage points. By distributing access points in this manner, we mitigate congestion at entrances and offer diverse experiential journeys with each visit.


This project is conducted in collaboration with JALP London LTD