Zhangjiang Art Park

Zhangjiang Art Park in Shanghai was originally two separate sites built in different eras and given completely different landscape styles. Located within Zhangjiang Science City, a 455 hectare hi-tech mixed-use neighbourhood in the Pudong district, the northern site was relatively open. But it’s southern counterpart, home to the Zhangjiang Art Museum, was too densely cultivated. Over the years, a large contemporary sculpture and installation collection had accumulated within the restricted frame of southern park.

Now international urban design firm, West 8, has redesigned the two dated sites into one cohesive park. By adopting a “green frame” strategy West 8 says the new park will act as a catalyst to foster further redevelopment in its urban neighbourhood.

West 8 has combined two separate parks into one cohesive space

West 8 has combined two separate parks into one cohesive space

The L-shape art park provides an environmentally friendly pedestrian and cyclist circulation, a slow lane with excessive greenery. This ecologically friendly integrated design has woven into it strategically placed landmarks and open spaces to host events and encouraging social inclusiveness. Overgrown shrubs - many nearly two metres high - have been removed to give clear sightlines and a better feeling of openness.

Families can interact with the sculptures

Families can interact with the sculptures

A waterfront boulevard works like a zipper to restitch the once separated surrounding urban fabric and green spaces. This new pedestrian boulevard provides increased circulation within the soft landscapes. 

A fresh water lake with a lush water edge spreads along the eastern side of the boulevard and forms a backdrop for an extensive pathway system featuring pedestrian bridges. The paths efficiently intertwine and knit together significant spaces and provide attractive entrances and easy exits. 

The previously hidden sculptures are now highlighted in the new park.

The previously hidden sculptures are now highlighted in the new park.

The central axis of Zhangjiang Art Museum now provides visitors a layered spatial experience with a unified design language. An entrance plaza with a stunning canopy of cherry trees is placed adjacent to the rustling Zuchongzi Road, where lush tree crowns filter out the busyness  of the road. Here, visitors are welcomed into the calm green environment of the park. 

Once, concealed pieces of artwork were hidden treasures within the park. Today, they have been carefully rearranged to sit in unique spaces which celebrate their magnificence. 

The new park will act as a catalyst to foster further redevelopment in its urban neighbourhood.

The new park will act as a catalyst to foster further redevelopment in its urban neighbourhood.