Shanghai Colors: Urban Escape (2020)

Title: The Sixth Colour, Shanghai

Names: Saikat Ghosh, Vaibhav Pawar

Year of Study: First Year of B.Arch (in 2019-20)

College Name: School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada

Introduction

The world has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has caused a massive shift in the way people interact with each other. As we move towards a post-pandemic future, socialization with segregation has become the norm. Shanghai Colours is an architectural design entry that capitalizes on this idea and provides an urban recreational facility for the city of Shanghai. This article will discuss the design description, site information, design strategy, and the significance of Shanghai in the context of this design.

Design Description

Shanghai Colours is an urban recreational facility designed to cater to the needs of people in a post-pandemic world. The facility comprises circular pods on the top that allow individuals to acquire personal space while still being interactive. These pods are symbolic and functional in fighting a viral pandemic situation. The facility is capable of hosting activities of around 20-25 individuals at its prime while encouraging the maintenance of a safe distance between them. The rear sloping ramp of the facility is under open air and has a 19-degree angle of natural grass that behaves like a natural seating area.

Site Information

Shanghai Colours is built over a site in the bustling streets of modern Shanghai, in front of a high-rise residential plot. The facility rests on an area of 198 square metres, with a length of 18 metres and a breadth of 11 metres. The location of the facility is significant because Shanghai is one of Asia's most densely-populated areas and was one of the first epicentres of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Design Strategy

The design strategy for Shanghai Colours was to capitalize on both facades. The rear of the facility is used by the neighbours as a gallery-like slope that resembles those in stadiums. This slope provides a natural seating area that can accommodate a larger number of people. The front porch and pods are welcoming to roadside entrants and provide an interactive space for individuals to enjoy. The circular pods on the top provide individuals with personal space while still being interactive and connected to the larger community.