Benoy Wins Design and Masterplanning for AI Park in Shanghai

Global design firm Benoy has won a competition to serve as masterplanner and architect for a 367,000 square metre research and commercial hub near the east bank of Shanghai’s Huangpu River. Benoy will work with local developer Shanghai Lujiazui Group Co to craft the scheme for the Yuqiao Science Innovation Centre, which will feature a park dedicated to artificial intelligence development.

The AI Park will be integrated with a mix of research and commercial properties, including grade A office towers, corporate headquarters, retail space, an “intelligent R&D building” and serviced apartments, according to a statement by the firm. Spread over three plots of land, the project sits within the World Expo Area, a new commercial district the city government is developing nearby the site of the former World Expo.

Benoy will once again work with Lujiazui Group, building on a collaboration that has included several projects in the mainland financial centre. The London-based firm previously created the masterplan for the Qiantan Central Business District and handled the architecture and interior design work for phase one of the New Bund World Trade Center, a 95,000 square metre mixed-use project within Qiantan.

Designing Space Fit for the AI Race

“It is the government’s intention to transform Shanghai into a world-class city by 2040,” commented Qin Pang, Benoy director and lead designer in the statement. “With that in mind, we have ensured the design of Yuqiao Science Innovation Centre will allow the development to be seen as an important addition and landmark for scientific development in Shanghai.”

The new community will be developed on a 135,000 square metre site within the World Expo Area, which is part of Shanghai’s pilot free-trade zone. The site, consisting of plots 04B-03, 10B-04 and 11A-06, lies to the east of the Expo Qiantan Area and west of the Zhangjiang Technology City and the development will be connected to metro line 11. Facilities within the project will be linked by above-ground pedestrian walkways and prominent plazas.

Benoy Scores Another Project in Qiantan

“Our design has balanced the needs of the growing business community with the vision to create a world-leading science innovation centre,” Qin added. “We have worked to integrate each of components seamlessly so the centre will be a place to bring differing user groups together.”

Benoy’s new project is separate from the Qiantan masterplan it has already crafted for Lujiazui Group. Controlled by the Pudong district government, Lujiazui Group is the developer behind Shanghai’s Lujiazui financial centre, and is currently working with Hong Kong-based Swire Properties to build a 116,000 square metre mall in Qiantan.