China Sketches by PSP Vol. 1 Shanghai

1. C H I N A S K E T C H E S

2. A High Rise Planning Study
Shanghai
In June of 2011, I traveled to Shanghai to meet with the
Guang Group project team to kickoff the planning and
design of a major mixed-use project in the suburbs.
The following probe / sketch book begins to test some of
the client presumptions and opportunity.
The program, density, F.A.R. and massing was
originally approved from the initial master plan and the
never completed project has footings in place for the first
phase high rise and hotel.
The sketches and comments are onsite observations and
are meant only for information rather than design direction.
That being said, the client group and their partner do have a
quality / character in mind that will help to establish a
Guang Group in Shanghai.
This project is the first entry into the Shanghai
market and will be followed by others that are currently
under development. The significance of the project is
underscored by the fact that its project manager is Guang
President, Larry Zhang.
Lewis T. May, FASLA

3. W Gakuen Cocoon Tower
The Guang Group
wants to make a
statement with an
S N
iconic building and
this image
generated lots of
discussion.
The site is in the Shanghai suburbs and is partially
developed. Vehicular access is from the east, primarily
with partial southern and northern connectors.
A subway stop is being created along the southern edge
affording a pedestrian link to the site. A creek parallels the
southern edge to the property and will require remediation
to accommodate pedestrian access to the subway
station.
The high speed rail linking Beijing and Shanghai lies west
of the site about a mile away. Major roadways are
E parallel to the east and south property edges.

4. Al Dana at Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi, UAE
As part of the work sessions Lewis presented numerous
tower scenarios and the high rise on the right side of the Al
Dana image was of interest to them.
The site is featureless and very low / flood prone.
It is approximately 40 acres in size, rectilinear and
barren of trees and vegetation. Structural foundations
are in place for the 24 story tower and 9 story hotel.
Drawings do exist for what was proposed initially but
was not completed. These footprints and F.A.R. are
already established for Phase One. First task is to re-
think the original project and create a much more
-skin, but a lot more.
Phase Two is up to us but as originally planned, it is
comprised of four 19 story commercial / office towers.

5. The mix of uses lends itself to a lively destination of residential,
is to be removed and the site re-developed.
The long narrow site is configured with a mix of uses
already approved by the local authorities though the
layout is flexible the F.A.R. is set.
An unusual discussion was to design the office towers
with a floor to floor height of 5.2 meters to be client
converted to two floors in future phases.

6. Gakuen Spiral Tower
Though the Gakuen
Tower was one of the
preferred images
presented to the
client group, Lewis
reminded the team
that variance from a
simple form could be
a serious cost issue.
The project must be respondent to modest budget and
proforma. However the adjacent sketch was done for Larry
on one of several attempts to communicate the perimeter
wall complexity as a driver of project costs.
The
rents of downtown Shanghai respondent to a costly or
luxurious façade. Simple yet unique will be an appropriate
aesthetic.

7. Ocean Heights
selected by the client as possibly representative of the character
they liked for the towers in Shanghai.
The
Shanghai that reflects the suburban nature of the
development. The obvious nod to downtown and its iconic
interested in mimicking for their project.
Two towers adjacent to our site were less than what they
expected as well. The existing towers, though new and 90%

8. A well designed streetscape/access can create a significant
site amenity for the development. The entry way gets the
The entry drive, an east / west connector, is a possible
site form giver. Access from the north and south is limited
and does little to evoke a positive entry statement.
A well designed cross-section and a significant
landscape scheme can create a dramatic approach to the
development. The north edge is built-out with high rises
subway constraining access.

9. The high rise image entryway phase #1 should be designed as a
destination and gathering space. It should be inviting and lively.
34 story high rise above a podium base retail / commercial
center.
A parking garage will serve both the signature office tower
like development is to be phase #1 of the project.

10. character described by the client on site in Shanghai. A
simplified skin and floor plate would also better reflect the
project budget and construction costs.
An idea discussed was to have the four buildings in the
rear of the site act as a single or standalone element. The
massing is peculiar and the constructability complicated
and costly.
To best reflect the modest budget requirements, a much
more straight-forward design response is required..

11. Agato Asymmetrical Asymmetrical Cut Out
Ornamental Top Setbacks Tapered Top Wedge Cuts

13. C H I N A S K E T C H E S
C H I N A S K E T C H E S
Ken Bailey, Studio Director, receives direction from Lewis.