Shanghai Zhongfang Architectural Design Co., Ltd.: Winner of the Architect of the Year Awards 2025. Located in the central district of Putuo, Shanghai, Nengchuang Xingchenhui serves as the core carrier of the regional urban framework of “One Belt, One Core, One City.” Guided by the concept of a three-dimensional urban forest, the project integrates office, commercial, and educational functions within a limited urban site, creating a composite complex that merges ecological quality with metropolitan vitality.

The masterplan features two principal towers: a 21-storey high-rise integrating offices and commerce to the north, and a 7-storey office building to the south. The massing adopts a “low south–high north, descending east” configuration, establishing a spatial and visual transition between the western high-rise business cluster and the eastern low-rise residential area. This stepped composition harmonizes the skyline while optimizing sunlight and view corridors.

A strategy of volumetric decomposition transforms the overall form into a composition of interlocking cubic masses, mitigating the visual heaviness of the towers and enhancing a human-scale perception. The façade language, derived from vertical linear elements, extends into the landscape and paving design to achieve a unified architectural expression. Silver-gray metal panels and transparent glass create a restrained yet refined urban interface, reflecting Putuo District’s aspiration for a “Beautiful City.”

At the ground level, the project establishes an open, continuous pedestrian system, linking commercial frontage, office lobbies, and public service spaces into a cohesive urban living platform. Layered greenery and landscape integration form a multi-dimensional “urban living room.” Rooftop gardens and terraced decks extend the vertical greening system, fostering a relaxed, community-oriented ecological environment.

Throughout the design process, the architectural team coordinated façade, landscape, interior, and sustainable design disciplines, employing BIM and low-energy strategies to optimize performance. Nengchuang Xingchenhui embodies an architectural response to human-centered and sustainable urban growth, emerging as a landmark for ecological and integrated development within the context of Putuo’s urban regeneration.

Project Details:-
Firm
Shanghai Zhongfang Architectural Design Co., Ltd.

Architect
SHANGHAI ZF ARCHITECTS

Project Name
Nengchuang Xingchenhui

Project Category
Mixed-Use Built

Team
Bao Hailing, He Wei, Zhao Weiming, Zhao Chenqi, Zhao Wanzhu (Architectural Design) Huan Jie, Shen Zheng, Zhang Qun, Sun Pengpeng, Zhao Dongmei, Cai Yan, Shang Yingtng, Yang Danying, Hu Xiaofen, Liao Tingting (Interior Design) He Huiying, Arziguli, Qin Liying, Wang Xiao (Landscape Design)

Project Location
SHANGHAI

Country
China

Photography ©Credit
©liwei

Founded in 1979, SHANGHAI ZF ARCHITECTS has a history of 45 years. It is an influential class-A comprehensive design company in Shanghai architecture industry. We provide design services and technical support for the whole process of project planning, planning, architecture, interior, landscape and civil air defense. The company adopts the joint-stock operation mode which is held by the main management and technical backbone, and relies on the cooperation of nearly 400 professionals from various disciplines. Adhering to the design concept of full control of high-quality architecture, the company is committed to creating original works full of architectural ideals and professionalism. In recent years, it has won more than 300 awards in many fields at home and abroad, and provides quality design services for the TOP100 real estate enterprises in China. Attaches great importance to the technological progress and specialized leading, Shanghai earlier BIM team design company, is a center of Shanghai residential development prefabricated architectural design of the backbone units. At present, ZF Architecture is committed to urban renewal, TOD, rental housing, future community and other emerging fields of exploration and research. Zhongfang construction has completed more than 20 kinds of patented technologies, and has been recognized as a high-tech enterprise.