The Ark

The Ark is a renovation of the former Wanmicang warehouse at the Zhangjiang Cement Factory in Shanghai. The design preserves the industrial legacy of the site while transforming it into a public, multifunctional waterfront hub for culture, creativity, and commerce.

Built-in 1971, the factory played a key role in Shanghai’s urban development for decades. MAD’s approach retains the original concrete structure and inserts a lightweight, ark-like metal volume above, creating a dialogue between the past and the future. The rough textures of the old warehouse contrast with the smooth, reflective metal form above, reactivating the building as a contemporary public “living room.”

A full-height glass curtain wall separates the old and new elements, allowing natural light to flood the space. Interior tiered gardens and open commercial programs animate the preserved industrial shell. A central corridor connects the urban plaza to the riverfront, and a new bridge extends public access across the river.

The rooftop doubles as an open terrace overlooking the Chuanyang River. Structural reinforcements and modern interventions ensure both visual lightness and historical integrity.