XINTIANDI DONGTAILI
LOCATION
Shanghai, China
SIZE
88,600 sqm
DATE COMPLETED
2025
PHOTOGRAPHER
RAWVISION studio
Situated in the heart of Shanghai, XINTIANDI DONGTAILI is part of the urban development in Greater Xintiandi area, a district long recognized for its blend of historic preservation and contemporary vibrancy. Located South of Huaihai Road and East of Taiping Lake, the site lies near the lively Xintiandi Shikumen Block.
Situated in the heart of Shanghai, XINTIANDI DONGTAILI is part of the urban development in Greater Xintiandi area, a district long recognized for its blend of historic preservation and contemporary vibrancy. Located South of Huaihai Road and East of Taiping Lake, the site lies near the lively Xintiandi Shikumen Block.
In 2018, Kokaistudios was commissioned to lead the architecture and interior design of the commercial space within this project. The development comprises a cluster of above-ground retail buildings totaling approximately 45,600 sqm, paired with an expansive underground commercial area of around 43,000 sqm.
In 2018, Kokaistudios was commissioned to lead the architecture and interior design of the commercial space within this project. The development comprises a cluster of above-ground retail buildings totaling approximately 45,600 sqm, paired with an expansive underground commercial area of around 43,000 sqm.
The design of XINTIANDI DONGTAILI is guided by the vision of a “Total Community”. These principles are reflected in a design strategy that enhances walkability and accessibility, while embedding the project within both the immediate context of Dongtai Road—once a historic street lined with Shikumen houses and now cutting through the site—and the larger cultural and historical fabric of Shanghai.
The design of XINTIANDI DONGTAILI is guided by the vision of a “Total Community”. These principles are reflected in a design strategy that enhances walkability and accessibility, while embedding the project within both the immediate context of Dongtai Road—once a historic street lined with Shikumen houses and now cutting through the site—and the larger cultural and historical fabric of Shanghai.
A key strategy is to divide the commercial massing into five separate volumes. Two serve as podiums beneath adjacent office towers, while the remaining three stand independently, framing a network of open-air pathways and public zones.
A key strategy is to divide the commercial massing into five separate volumes. Two serve as podiums beneath adjacent office towers, while the remaining three stand independently, framing a network of open-air pathways and public zones.
Further reinforcing the project’s community-focused ethos is a commitment to human-scale design. Each building is limited to four stories, with the top two levels set back to create generous terraces for outdoor activity. This strategy not only reduces the visual bulk of the structures but also reintroduces a sense of proportion aligned with the historic Shikumen typology that once lined Dongtai Road.
Further reinforcing the project’s community-focused ethos is a commitment to human-scale design. Each building is limited to four stories, with the top two levels set back to create generous terraces for outdoor activity. This strategy not only reduces the visual bulk of the structures but also reintroduces a sense of proportion aligned with the historic Shikumen typology that once lined Dongtai Road.
Material expression plays a crucial role in articulating the project’s mixed-use identity. The facade design of XINTIANDI DONGTAILI adopts a “Heavy and Light” contrast to articulate its distinct programmatic layers.
Material expression plays a crucial role in articulating the project’s mixed-use identity. The facade design of XINTIANDI DONGTAILI adopts a “Heavy and Light” contrast to articulate its distinct programmatic layers.
Through an integrated approach spanning architecture, interior, and urban strategies, the project cultivates a walkable, inclusive environment—one that invites daily encounters, layered experiences, and a deeper sense of place within the city's ever-evolving landscape.
Through an integrated approach spanning architecture, interior, and urban strategies, the project cultivates a walkable, inclusive environment—one that invites daily encounters, layered experiences, and a deeper sense of place within the city's ever-evolving landscape.
Situated in the heart of Shanghai, XINTIANDI DONGTAILI is part of the urban development in Greater Xintiandi area, a district long recognized for its blend of historic preservation and contemporary vibrancy. Located South of Huaihai Road and East of Taiping Lake, the site lies near the lively Xintiandi Shikumen Block.
In 2018, Kokaistudios was commissioned to lead the architecture and interior design of the commercial space within this project. The development comprises a cluster of above-ground retail buildings totaling approximately 45,600 sqm, paired with an expansive underground commercial area of around 43,000 sqm.
The design of XINTIANDI DONGTAILI is guided by the vision of a “Total Community”. These principles are reflected in a design strategy that enhances walkability and accessibility, while embedding the project within both the immediate context of Dongtai Road—once a historic street lined with Shikumen houses and now cutting through the site—and the larger cultural and historical fabric of Shanghai.
A key strategy is to divide the commercial massing into five separate volumes. Two serve as podiums beneath adjacent office towers, while the remaining three stand independently, framing a network of open-air pathways and public zones.
Further reinforcing the project’s community-focused ethos is a commitment to human-scale design. Each building is limited to four stories, with the top two levels set back to create generous terraces for outdoor activity. This strategy not only reduces the visual bulk of the structures but also reintroduces a sense of proportion aligned with the historic Shikumen typology that once lined Dongtai Road.
Material expression plays a crucial role in articulating the project’s mixed-use identity. The facade design of XINTIANDI DONGTAILI adopts a “Heavy and Light” contrast to articulate its distinct programmatic layers.
Through an integrated approach spanning architecture, interior, and urban strategies, the project cultivates a walkable, inclusive environment—one that invites daily encounters, layered experiences, and a deeper sense of place within the city's ever-evolving landscape.
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