Foster + Partners has completed Jia Art in Shanghai, a gallery and cultural hub organised around a petal-like atrium that brings daylight into a sequence of flexible exhibition and event spaces.
Foster + Partners has completed Jia Art in Shanghai, a gallery and cultural venue located at the heart of the Changfeng mixed-use development in the city’s Putuo District. Conceived as both an exhibition space and social anchor for the wider masterplan, the 5,000-square-metre building combines galleries, event spaces and hospitality functions within a sculptural form inspired by flowering plants found in the adjacent Changfeng Park.
The facade’s glass ribs reflect daylight during the day and can be illuminated at night to create a dynamic profile.
The building occupies a prominent position at the intersection of two major pedestrian routes and acts as the focal point of the recently completed southern section of the development. It is organised around two interconnected volumes linked by a central double-height atrium. The north wing contains the principal exhibition spaces, while the south wing accommodates hospitality areas, additional galleries and lecture facilities.
Ultra-high performance concrete panels on the west facade enhance privacy.
At the centre of the plan is an atrium whose curved geometry draws on the form of spring blossom petals, with curved surfaces rising from the base and unfolding upwards and outwards to shape the roofline. A large central skylight bring daylight into the atrium and surrounding galleries, reinforcing the continuity between interior and exterior forms. “Drawing on the geometry of a blossoming flower, the gallery is characterised by its curvilinear form that appears to grow outwards from its centre,” commented John Blythe, senior partner at Foster + Partners. “The building’s inherent symmetry establishes a sense of calm and balance in this fast-paced city.”
Exhibition spaces incorporate a natural colour palette that works in harmony with the petal motif.
This petal-inspired geometry also informs the façade treatment. Large areas of glazing are paired with mirror-finished stainless-steel panels that curve around the building, reflecting changing lighting conditions and activating the façade throughout the day and evening. Ultra high-performance concrete panels at ground level provide contrast and solidity to the composition.
Exhibition spaces incorporate a natural colour palette that works in harmony with the petal motif.
Internally, the galleries adopt a softer, more restrained material palette. Curved walls and ceilings continue the formal language established externally, while neutral finishes allow the exhibition spaces to remain adaptable for a wide range of displays and events. The building’s relatively modest scale helps establish a more intimate relationship with visitors and the surrounding public realm. The architect has positioned Jia Art not simply as a standalone gallery, but as a social and cultural destination integrated into the wider urban development.
The striking curved form of the atrium echoes the building’s exterior.
“Jia Art is a project that demonstrates the significance of embedding art and culture in our cities,” said Norman Foster, founder and executive chairman of Foster + Partners. “It will bring life to the public spaces, nurturing a sense of community identity, while playing an important role in integrating our new Changfeng development into the wider fabric of Shanghai.”
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