Established in 1958 in southern Shanghai, the Songjiang Fertilizer Plant was a key local industry supporting early national modernization. Its red-brick buildings, steel silos, and towering chimneys stood as icons of industrial progress and collective memory from a defining era.
As the city expanded and industries evolved, the factory gradually fell silent. Yet its presence endures in the urban fabric—cracks in the walls, rust on the steel, and sunlight filtering through dust still whisper the origins of Songjiang’s industrial legacy.
To revitalize the underused site and preserve its memory, Shanghai Huayi Group launched a renewal plan in 2018 for the former Songjiang Fertilizer Plant. Through spatial and cultural transformation, the factory evolved from a "production machine" into a lifestyle-driven urban park—centered on sports and camping, complemented by pet markets, creative retail, and curated brand events—opening the once-enclosed industrial grounds to public life and interaction.
The design is rooted in the “FOP (Field Office Park)” concept, offering an ecological alternative to traditional high-density urban offices. Nature forms the foundation, openness defines the boundary—creating a symbiotic relationship between people, buildings, and the environment. Glass façades, metal cladding, and vertical greenery work together to express a dialogue between old and new. History is not erased but embedded—becoming an integral part of contemporary experience.
The overall planning respects the site's original layout and adopts a strategy of structural reinforcement combined with selective reconstruction to achieve a balance between historical continuity and contemporary functionality. On the north side, most of the original buildings are retained, with their scale and texture preserved through structural reinforcement and restoration, ensuring the authenticity and memory of the industrial legacy is maintained to the greatest extent. On the south side, dilapidated structures are removed and replaced with new volumes that engage in a dialogue with the old factory buildings. The new architecture echoes the historical context through its materiality, scale, and rhythm, breathing new life into the site.
As a multifunctional art and cultural venue, the design retains the original arched structure of the factory, creating a continuous interface with the plaza and enabling a seamless connection between architecture and public space.
The renovation retains the original structure while integrating modern functions. A lightweight perforated aluminum façade adds texture and reduces energy use.
Building on the architectural language of # 61/65, sunlight filters between perforated aluminum panels and preserved brick walls, producing a layered, semi-transparent façade. At the core, a sculptural black spiral staircase anchors the space—fusing industrial grit with artistic finesse.
▲ 40,41号楼改造前
▲ 40-43号组团外立面
▲ 40-43号组团外立面局部
▲ 40-43号组团外立面
▲ 40-43号组团入口
▲ 40-43号组团穿孔铝板细节
▲ 40-43号组团外立面局部
▲ 40-43号组团与周围环境
#23厂房:增加拱形元素强化厂房原拱形结构,竖向落地窗,自然光透入室内,形成韵律丰富的光影序列。
Arched elements echo the original factory structure, while full-height vertical windows bring in natural light, creating a rhythmic interplay of light and shadow.
Preserving the original variation in building heights, the design integrates outdoor stairs and steel landscape frames to seamlessly link vertical circulation with public life.
With generous floor-to-ceiling heights, the original factory offered great spatial potential. The renovation introduced mezzanine levels to reorganize interior functions, creating a more layered spatial experience. This improved space efficiency while preserving the original industrial scale and character. Enlarged windows enhance daylight and natural ventilation, strengthening the visual connection between indoors and outdoors and fostering a more open, breathable atmosphere.
Existing trees and structures on site were preserved, allowing nature to intertwine with architecture. Through the interplay of light, material, and structure, the space evokes both historical memory and contemporary character. The campus reflects a harmonious coexistence of industrial order and organic growth.
Terraced Office (New Build): A series of cascading terraces breaks the enclosure of traditional office typologies. Lush greenery intertwines with the vertical circulation to create multi-level social spaces that encourage informal interaction and connection.
During the renovation process, two industrial relics on site—once bearing witness to the fertilizer plant’s production era with their distinctive structures and materials—were initially planned for preservation. They were seen as powerful symbols of industrial memory, intended to leave a lasting historical imprint on the site. However, following safety evaluations during construction, both structures were regrettably removed due to severe aging and structural concerns.
This transformation is not merely a renovation, but a dialogue between the past and the present—where the old and new coexist to create a space that grows with time. History is preserved, not erased, becoming part of the contemporary experience. Sanli Cang 1958 marks the shift from a closed industrial site to an open urban park. By integrating sustainable design and perse programming, the project breathes new life into industrial heritage, turning it into a vibrant destination for public life and cultural engagement.