A vast metropolis steeped in history, Shanghai has become a key hub for technological research and advancements. The Yangpu District in the northeastern part of the city is playing a significant role in this evolution. With 17 universities and countless start-up ventures, the district possesses the same kind of energy as other intensely collaborative and entrepreneurial areas like California’s Silicon Valley.

Within this district, SOM has conceived a master plan for the Knowledge and Innovation Community. The scheme encompasses research, retail, and office space, along with cultural elements — all intended to create a vibrant community where new ideas can flourish and be brought to market.

Glazed buildings along the site’s eastern edge provide light-filled offices for emerging companies, while larger, stone structures accommodate established businesses. A conference center on the north end and retail and educational buildings on the south help energize the area and attract visitors from nearby universities and an adjacent tech park. Public plazas will feature a collage of materials that provide a tactile link to the site’s history.