Location: Shanghai, China

Client: K. Wah International Holdings Ltd.

Time: 2013-2023

Gross Floor Area: 22,883 sq m

Type: Residential

Architect：EID Architecture

Design Principal: Ping Jiang, FAIA

Design Team: Sean Lu, Qingsong Shi, Yushi Zheng, Xinyi Lu, Qing Zhang, Ji Huang, Vivian Ni, Kaini Huang, Ratima Suwanrumpha, Vikki Lew, Wei Xu

Consultants:

Architect of Record / M&E Consultant / Structural Engineer: Tianhua Architecture Design Ltd.

Interior Design Consultant: Steve Leung Design Group Ltd. / One House Design

Lighting Design Consultant: LEOX Design Partnership

Collaborating Architect: Tianhua Architecture Design Ltd. / Aedas

Located near the riverfront area in Pudong District, Shanghai, K. Wah Riverside E18 Residence is a multifamily housing project with over 110 apartment units on a tight site surrounded by dense residential neighborhoods. In an environm  ent where scale and speed are hyper-valued in the realm of development, the design of E18 Residence intends to break the mold of mass produced homogenous housing typologies in China, creating a contemporary housing typology with a contextually sensitive approach to its community and urban environment. This modern addition to the multilayered neighborhood introduces new dimension and dynamism to the urban context and community, giving new identity to the otherwise non-descriptive district.

A New Urban Housing Typology

As one of the smallest parcels available in Shanghai, E18 Residence presents a unique challenge for the design team to probe the future of housing in a high-density urban environment, coupled with the stringent zoning requirements and intent to optimize the residential program. Sculptured by angles of sunlight, K. Wah E18 Residence explores how building shape informed by site-specific criteria and solar access can expand potential to positively impact its community and urban environment.

Sunlight-Sculpted Urban Canyon

The building utilizes a U shaped massing configuration, a solution to accommodate the residential program and establish continuity to the urban interface. Based on solar envelope studies, which analyze the physical boundaries of surrounding properties, access to sunshine is assured. The massing is sculpted using sunlight studies, ensuring solar access for the surrounding existing neighborhood is not compromised. The height, form and position of the building are strategically developed guided by solar access analysis. The curvilinear geometry of the inner cascading roof terraces references to the flowing quality of the river nearby, while the rectilinear outline of the massing responds to the existing urban fabric. This solar-sculpted urban canyon is also reminiscent of rice paddy fields often found in natural environments, heightening the importance of nature in Asian culture.

K. Wah Riverside E18 Residence has a total of 114 units with an average of 90 sqm for typical units and 4 penthouse units, ranging from 2 bedroom units to 4 bedroom duplex units. The project also consists of 36 different plans to accommodate the required program unit mix. Each unit at the west wing is positioned at a 45 degree rotation intended to maximize sunlight exposure and optimal views to the river. Relatively small in comparison to its immediate surrounding buildings, the distinctive silhouette of E18 Residence has transformed the skyline of Shanghai and serves as a new prototype for urban living.  

*The concept and schematic design was led by Ping Jiang while working as executive director at Aedas. EID Arch has been responsible for adjustment and refinement of schematic design, design development, facade design package, construction documents.