The Bund Finance Center, designed by Foster + Partners and Heatherwick Studio, is a major new mixed-use project on in Shanghai’s waterfront. The 420,000-square meter masterplan, composed of eight buildings, links the old town to the financial district.

The project include office space, restaurant, luxury boutiques, a public plaza and at the cultural center. The iconic moving veil of the cultural center adapts to the changing uses of the building, revealing or hiding interior spaces. Developed in collaboration with local engineers Tongji University, the facade is organized along three tracks and made of layers of ‘tassels’ – a reference to the traditional Chinese bridal headdress. Each tassel length is between two and sixteen meters.

Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio and Senior Executive Partner, Foster + Partners commented: “The Bund Finance Centre creates a pivotal connection between the old town and the new financial district. Developing the massing strategy for the buildings was an interesting challenge, in terms of relating to the context of old and new architecture, reflecting the scale of the waterfront and the character of the historic quarters.”

 Thomas Heatherwick, Founder of Heatherwick Studio, said: “The opportunity to make something new in this prominent location that had formerly been the river gateway to Shanghai’s Old Town was extraordinary. With a project that would create 420,000 square metres of space, we felt a great duty to look for fresh ways to connect with China’s amazing built heritage and make a meaningful public place for thousands of people to work and come together.