Open Road Center for Campground

Shanghai, China

Southwest View of the Building

Photo © Hao Chen

South East View of the Building

Photo © Hao Chen

North View of the Building with Closed Facade

Photo © Hao Chen

Entrance Plaza and Reception

Photo © Hao Chen

Activity Space and Greenery

Photo © Hao Chen

View from the Reception

Photo © Hao Chen

Main Space with Light-weight Movable Furniture

Photo © Hao Chen

Light Travels Through the Full-height Interior Wall

Photo © Hao Chen

Reception and VIP Deck

Photo © Hao Chen

Continuous Wood Structure and Steel Beam

Photo © Hao Chen

Model Study - Overlay

Model Study - Space and Structure

Cultural Centers

Architects: NATURALBUILD

Location: Boyuan Road, Jiading, Shanghai, China
Year: 2018
Client: Shanghai International Automobile City (Group) Co. Ltd
Team: Yanfei Shui, Yichi Su, Yuanrong Ma, Wenting Zhang, Yuan Lv, Jeffrey Wong

The building sits in a Recreational Vehicle campground at the north of the Shanghai Auto Expo Park. Since 1936 when the first Airstream “Clipper” was born in California, RV camping has been winning wide popularity among west-ern families. Loved by a small part of Chinese families, RVs are considered to have great potential in China. With the support from Shanghai International Automobile City (SAIC) and Campgrounds of China, the building was not only conceived to be a management support for the campground, but also a culture club that promotes the RV lifestyle to a wider audience.

The irregular quadrangle footprint responds to its surroundings. The closed back blocks the city traffic to its north, while the open façade faces the greenery of the park on the south. This club is intended for both the club members and the general public, therefore the building is seeking a balance between exclusiveness and inclusiveness. The structural design works in concert with space’s nature of compatibility: The entity is supported by the steel structure and wrapped by a Douglas fir system from the pitched roof to the facade walls. The upper part of the full height wall in the main space is built with perforated panels. In this way, it subtly connects the spaces on the two sides of the wall when light travels through slightly and reveals the hidden steel frame inside.