As the inaugural milestone in a wide-ranging redevelopment, the Baoshan Exhibition Center by Kokaistudios bridges Shanghai’s industrial past with its ecological future. Located in the Luojing area of Baoshan District, the project transforms one of the few remaining factory buildings on a 450,000 sqm site—formerly a hub of steel production—into a vibrant exhibition and education center. This intervention forms the symbolic and functional entry point to a larger mixed-use green park development anchored by a waste-to-energy power plant.
Kokaistudios was commissioned to convert the 725 sqm derelict structure into a dynamic space for presenting the masterplan to developers, potential tenants, and the public. The Exhibition Center also serves an educational role, hosting students and promoting green energy strategies. With a program including display areas, multimedia zones, food and beverage services, and VIP lounges, the design prioritizes spatial flexibility within the preserved industrial shell.
A lightweight, independent polycarbonate envelope was inserted within the original structural frame—an architectural strategy that addresses technical challenges such as waterproofing while enhancing the building’s transparency and luminous quality. This translucent skin maintains a dialogue with the weight and tactility of retained industrial elements like rusted machines and exposed piping. By day, natural light filters through the polycarbonate; by night, interior lighting gives the building a soft, ambient glow.
Inside, the palette is minimal and sustainable. Concrete tiles, stainless steel cladding, and recyclable finishes align with the project’s ecological ambitions. Cooler hues reflect a move away from the site’s fiery industrial past, while warmer touches—such as wood veneer partitions in the exhibition hall and colorful, mobile furniture—introduce natural and playful elements that connect visually with the surrounding park.
This architectural dialogue continues in the exterior landscape. The paving combines stone tiles and red-brown steel slag—industrial by-products—set among preserved mature trees, ensuring the structure integrates seamlessly into its evolving ecological environment. The dry-construction method and modular design promote adaptability and future reuse, setting a precedent for the broader masterplan. As the first realized component of the redevelopment, Baoshan Exhibition Center embodies a thoughtful approach to urban transformation: one that honors industrial heritage while embracing sustainability and openness to change.
