The Kerry Jing An Center is a mixed use 5 hectare development located on Nanjing Lu, one of the most
high profile retail streets in the heart of Shanghai. The site design concept metaphorically borrows a
piece of landscape from the adjacent Jing An Park and places it at the center of an urban development
within a classical grid framework. This unifying framework reinforces the architectural character of the
site and organizes the seemingly disparate elements of scale, program, and materials into a cohesive
experience. A continuous mat of alternating narrow and wide stone paving bands act as an urban filter
that draws people into the heart of the site then redirect them to surrounding buildings. This
framework also introduces varying layers of paving and plant materials that create a tapestry of gardens
and open plazas which can be programmed for varying events throughout the year.
At the core of the project is the main plaza which incorporates stone, water, evergreen shrubs, gravel,
and lawn panels floating freely between the framework grid. This area is designed to incorporate a
variety of uses including outdoor event space, shaded seating areas and garden sculptures. The grid of
Ginkgo trees around the historic Mao Zedong House creates an outdoor garden room that allows for
more passive and individual reflection. Both the garden and plaza are visually connected to the main
fountain which will help cool the plaza during the warm summer months and minimize the sounds from
busy adjacent streets. Next to the central plaza area is a roof deck sculpture garden that provides users
a more passive experience.