Introducing the Loopy Bridge, a groundbreaking urban marvel redefining the landscape of Shanghai’s public spaces. Inspired by the graceful undulations of water ripples, this architectural intervention transforms the conventional bridge into a dynamic, interconnected public space.
Located in the heart of Shanghai, the design of Loopy Bridge seamlessly weaves a pathway around the geometric patterns inspired by water ripples, creating a singular, harmonious trace. Each ripple, acting as micro- experience, is meticulously subdivided, allocating distinct functions to individual areas.
The bridge serves as a captivating link between two urban landforms, harmoniously merging them into a singular, expansive park.
The bridge’s meandering circulation is thoughtfully divided, catering to both walkers and joggers, each with a designated track that guides visitors through captivating “loops.” These loops, totaling eight, offer diverse functionalities, ranging from amphitheaters and open cinemas to urban lounges and playgrounds.
As visitors traverse the bridge, they embark on a journey through a myriad of public spaces, each loop unveiling a unique experience at the intersection of innovative design and practical functionality.
Loopy Bridge not only transforms the cityscape but also invites the public to engage with urban spaces in novel ways. It represents a fusion of artistic inspiration and thoughtful urban planning, providing an unparalleled and immersive experience for all who traverse its innovative pathways.
Welcome to the future of public spaces in Shanghai, where the Loopy Bridge stands as a testament to the endless possibilities of design and creativity.
Rich Bridge
Sijing Ancient Town | Shanghai | China
“Rich Bridge,” a visionary project crafted by 100architects, reimagines the traditional concept of a bridge by transforming it into a vibrant social space, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. Located over the picturesque Sijing Tang River in Sijing Ancient Town, Shanghai, this innovative bridge design marries modernity with traditional Chinese symbolism, creating a unique and inviting urban oasis.
The project’s name, “Rich Bridge,” derives its inspiration from the Chinese cultural significance of the number 8, symbolizing wealth and good luck. This association with prosperity permeates the very essence of the bridge’s design, where eight captivating capsules serve as hubs for social leisure and interaction.
To foster a more pedestrian-friendly environment and enhance social engagement, Rich Bridge optimizes the bridge’s available space. By reducing the number of car lanes from two to a single lane, an expansive pedestrian area is created. Along the bridge’s edge, the eight distinctive capsules are strategically positioned against the handrail, inviting individuals to explore and engage with their surroundings.
Each capsule’s design draws inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture, specifically the elegant shapes found in traditional roof structures. These classical forms are reinterpreted with a modern and sleek aesthetic, offering a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary design.
These eight capsules are seamlessly linked together by a vibrant red ribbon that serves both as a framing element for the capsules and as a public high table in between them. This functional yet aesthetically pleasing feature encourages social gatherings, relaxation, and appreciation of the scenic river views, making Rich Bridge a dynamic and communal space within the urban fabric.
“Rich Bridge” is not just a bridge; it is a symbol of unity, fortune, and the vibrant pulse of urban life, representing a fusion of tradition and modernity that enhances the cultural and social experience of Sijing Ancient Town.
A pioneering prototype that introduces movable waterfront floating pools to underserved communities and various areas of the city. This innovative concept spans across popular city spots, catering to leisure and urban activation. The project aims to elevate citizens’ experience of many UAE and KSA locations by providing a distinctive opportunity for enjoying the city from a different perspective. The groundbreaking concept has the potential to transcends cityscapes, infusing vibrant life into iconic city hubs while delivering unparalleled leisure experiences.
Inspired by the geometries found in Arabesque architecture, the design draws from door shapes, geometric patterns and arches present in arabesque vernacular architectural elements. This inspiration takes on a contemporary twist through vibrant colors and abstract forms, resulting in capsules that offer a VIP-like experience within the premises.
Corniche Beach, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Al Fahidi, Dubai, UAE.
Designed as a versatile modular system, the Wandering Pools can be easily disassembled into compact docks and relocated to new locations for reassembly. All components are part of a pre-fabricated custom toolbox of amenities, including a water slide, diving platform, or a boat docking, which can be added or removed at will. These structures are constructed using CLT (cross-laminated timber), renowned for its flexibility and sustainability.
Jeddah, KSA.
Dubai Marina, UAE.
The floating system consists of a floating footing constructed from EPS white foam blocks interconnected by a metal structure. This floating slab acts as the foundational support on which a grid of steel beams is placed to create the ground floor for the project. Thanks to its exceptional buoyancy of 98%, this floating slab is virtually unsinkable.
The central floating platform of the project hosts two rectangular pools: a smaller, leisure-focused red pool, and a larger blue pool intentionally devoid of kids’ features. Surrounding this pool space are eight VIP capsules, each offering a private resting and leisure area with direct access to open sea swimming, and designed with the highest levels of open-lounge luxury, accompanied by colorful geometric patterns that pay homage to local architecture.
Dubai Creek, UAE.
Hatta Dam, UAE.
Positioned prominently on the central platform is a small roofed pavilion hosting a cafe and restaurant. Crowned by a viewing deck, this elevated space introduces an element of excitement with its dual water slides cascading down to the red pool, adding an extra layer of enjoyment.
On both ends of the red leisure pool, two open capsules contribute charm to the complex: one imitating an Arabesque arch, and the other taking the form of a large heart-shaped structure, serving as urban lounge furniture and offering selfie-worthy settings.
Al Fahidi, Dubai, UAE.
West Palm Beach, Dubai, UAE.
Essential amenities such as bathrooms, open bed-lounges, showers, and lockers are also thoughtfully provided. Furthermore, a pontoon extends into the sea, catering to boats and yachts.
The entire complex maintains a connection to the land through a floating pontoon, not only linking to the pools but also securing the project’s position.
Every detail has been considered to ensure a premium comfort, with essential amenities like bathrooms, open bed-lounges, showers, and lockers at your disposal. A welcoming pontoon extends into the sea, catering to boats and yachts, anchoring your aquatic experience.
The eagerly anticipated Wandering Pools are set to grace the shores of the UAE and KSA by the close of 2024. Our initial installations will dazzle at Dubai Marina, followed by The Palm West, Kite Beach, Al Fahidi Historical Quarter, Corniche Beach in Abu Dhabi, and the Jeddah waterfront, among other iconic locations. Stay tuned as we redefine how you enjoy the urban landscapes of Dubai. Join us in the pursuit of a fresh perspective and indulge in the unparalleled charm of the Wandering Pools.
The Other Nest 2023 represents an exciting evolution of our previous project, The Nest, which captivated audiences in early 2021. This endeavor exemplifies a captivating and dynamic public space that aims to enhance and beautify the urban landscape of Chengdu, the vibrant capital of China’s Sichuan province.
Commissioned once again by our esteemed client, the New Hope Group, who expressed great satisfaction with the original outcome, we were inspired to leverage the intellectual property we had developed. Our objective was to create a project within the same narrative framework, utilizing the same “image” while adapting to the unique site conditions of a newly constructed residential area.
Both projects embody the concept of “urban toys for the city,” aligning with our belief that play is not limited to children. The 100architects team designed these two urban playscapes to evoke joy and entertainment for individuals of all ages. These colorful playscapes act as urban attractors, visually standing out amidst their surrounding environment.
@ RexZou
@ RexZou
Just like the original version, the design narrative of this multifunctional playscape draws inspiration from the concept of a vibrant birth, where two newborns are nurtured by their mother. The three main IP objects, the birds, remain unchanged from the previous iteration. These vertical play structures serve as engaging elements for children to climb, slide, and discover various play opportunities.
In addition to the central play equipment, we have continued the theme of circular patterns throughout the surrounding space. These circles act as platforms for leisure, social interaction, and a wide range of other functions, enriching the multifunctionality of the playscape.
@ RexZou
@ RexZou
@ RexZou
Connecting all the circular components together is a meandering running track that spans the entire project, serving as a unifying element and transforming the playscape into a multi-functional circuit of events to be enjoyed by both children and adults.
Various features have been incorporated into this playscape, including a sunken sandpit, swings, a trampoline, a fitness core, a Chinese chess table, elderly exercise equipment, and seating components under an eggshell-shaped canopy, providing shade.
@ RexZou
@ RexZou
@ RexZou
To ensure a comprehensive urban intervention, we have enhanced the surrounding landscape with circular shapes consisting of lush greenery, bushes, flowers, and trees. Significantly increasing the amount of green areas, these additions create a green buffer that shields the playscape from the adjacent residential buildings.
The colorful EPDM flooring, designed to absorb impacts during play, showcases an array of patterns, graphics, and interactive games, facilitating connections between different spaces and activities within the area.
@ RexZou
@ RexZou
@ RexZou
During nighttime, the project comes to life through decorative lighting using flexible LED strips, accentuating the meandering shapes of the eggshells. This includes the eggshells representing the emerging chicks as well as the canopies providing shading. For functional lighting, lampposts have been designed with smaller eggshell-shaped lamps atop them
PROJECT NAME: THE OTHER NEST DESIGN: 100 Architects (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. DESIGN TEAM: Marcial Jesús, Javier González, Mónica Páez, Lara Broglio, Ponyo Zhao, Keith Gong, Cosima Jiang, Michelle Aldora & Yuntong Liu. PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM: Matías Hernández, Jenny Fan & Eva Jiang. CLIENT: New Hope Group SIZE: 2,200 m2 STATUS: Built LOCATION: Chengdu (China) PHOTOGRAPHY: Rex Zou VIDEOGRAPHY: Rex Zou
Carpenter space
A Landmark for the Community Inspired by Ancient Chinese Architect Lu Ban
The Carpenter Space captures the essence of traditional woodworking techniques and reimagines them within a contemporary playground of creativity and enjoyment. Located in the heart of Hangzhou, China, this project channels the legacy of Lu Ban, the revered father of Chinese architecture and master inventor.
The masterplan is designed with a strong visual impact, featuring a layout that is a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Chinese character for wood (木). This symbolic design pays homage to the rich cultural heritage that informs the project, embedding tradition into the very fabric of the space.
Central to the Carpenter Space is a striking play structure inspired by Lu Ban’s famous woodworking lock, reimagined as a three-story building. This dynamic structure invites users to explore and engage, offering a unique spatial experience that blends play with the artistry of traditional craftsmanship. Surrounding the main structure are vibrant play elements, including towering slides, soaring swings, and whimsical merry-go-rounds, all set within a lively and engaging environment.
The design honors Lu Ban’s craftsmanship with play equipment and architectural features that reflect his timeless techniques. Each play structure and shading element is inspired by different tools and locks created by Lu Ban, transforming the space into a hands-on learning experience. As users interact with the various elements, they are introduced to the possibilities and ingenuity of this master, learning through both play and observation.
The Carpenter Space seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, creating a setting where historical craftsmanship meets contemporary creativity. This immersive experience celebrates Lu Ban’s artistry and the enduring legacy of Chinese woodworking, offering visitors a chance to explore, learn, and connect with a rich cultural heritage.
Mă Way is yet another twist in our recurring series of projects revolving around the concept of the Horse for our regular client, Dong Yuan. First came the popular HorseBox in Chengdu; soon after, the least abstract ones, HorseLand & SeaHorse, both in Chongqing; and finally, the latest, largest and most famous one, Pegasus Trail also in Chongqing.
After 4 different successful projects exploring alternative ways of playing around same Dong Yuan’s IP image of the Horse, they reached out to us a 5th time for yet another fun twist. This time, for the public realm of a newly built residential development in the city of Hangzhou, our response was a bit more calligraphic: A playscape driven by the actual shape of the Chinese character Mă (马) which guess what? Yeah, it means Horse.
In order to be visible, recognizable and even readable from all the surrounding residential towers, we created a huge Chinese character in eye-catching monochromatic aquamarine green color, and then turned it into a playscape.
We realized that the character’s calligraphic stroke, when geometricized, was ideal for becoming a playful path or Way of entertaining activities filled with challenging obstacles & fun features for encouraging social interactions. Thus, its name, Mă Way. You do it your way.
Furthermore, the canvas onto which the character is calligraphed, the negative surrounding space, complement the path of playful activities with different pocket plazas for leisure, offering seating opportunities in the form of sunken plaza, and shaded areas for kids and adults alike, as well as sports areas for youngsters and teenagers or floor games for kids, converting the space in a multi-functional and multi-generational square.
Taking advantage of the independence of one of the strokes, separated from the main calligraphic body, we proposed a vertical play-wall, which when seen from above looks like a straight stroke line, and when seen from a pedestrian point of view, it becomes a challenging wall full of perforations & vertical games besides climbing and sliding opportunities.
Mă Way has been thoughtfully developed as a “Play Route” from end to end of the different character strokes, having into consideration different challenges and levels of difficulty for different age groups along the path. Calligraphy strokes on the floor set the path along which kids have fun and adults gather or have a rest, unifying them in a colorful path that gives shape and order to the Play Route.
Shanghai Smart Booths is the result of 100architects’ second collaboration with the Shanghai Branch of China Telecom, the state-owned Chinese telecommunications company, after our previous Orange Phone Booths, where we did an exercise of turning these old relics into modern functional urban furniture. This time we went beyond that.
Shanghai Smart Booth | Official Video | 100 Channel
Once essential technology that played a great role in connecting thousands of people across cities and countries, phone booths these days are disappearing from the face of the cityscapes. The city of New York, for mentioning one, bade its farewells to the last free-standing phone booth on May 23, 2022. Unable to meet the demands of the rapidly changing daily communication needs of urban dwellers, the phone booths that are still standing in Shanghai are seen as telecommunication relics, forgotten, neglected, and sometimes sadly mistreated.
The new Shanghai Smart Booth is a unique type of urban artifact powered by solar panels on its roof, a sophisticated design that demonstrates the infinite potential of creative thinking about the cityscape and public realm.
Equipped with a variety of new features, these technologically upgraded versions of old iconic Shanghai phone booths cater to the needs of the progressive tech-savvy population of Shanghai as much as to the safety needs of the elderly who may still remember using phone booths for their primary function.
In addition to a free three-minute phone call, these new, yet traditionally red, digitalized phone kiosks offer around-the-clock Wi-Fi hotspots, 5G transceivers, wireless charging for mobile devices, as well as USB connectivity, touch screens with city maps and easy one-click taxi-hailing services. A panic button along with such artificial intelligence features as face recognition is meant to assist the elderly and tackle an alarming problem of elderly people going missing in China.
Designing with practicality and functionality in mind, we couldn’t leave the fun out and slotted in a selfie wall that will be surely favored by selfie kings and queens, providing this booth with a new fun way to interact with its users.
To revamp the old booth while yet keeping the aesthetic soul and recognizable features of the old version (rouge red color, sloped hat on top, boxy shape), the defining features of our new design became soft lines, rounded edges, minimalist smooth surfaces, and functional thoughtful details. The addition of a pinch of color-contrast between the outer red layer and the inner black meandering stripe contributed to injecting strength and power to the contemporary statement wanted to be made.
Such integration of functional upgraded digital features in the contemporary look and feel of the new China Telecom phone box is an effort to make the phone booth an essential part of the cityscape again, and a part of the collective urban consciousness, a place to connect and interact, a place to recharge, slow down and have a cup of coffee, to take a shelter from rain or sizzling heat, and most importantly, a place to create a link that connects phone booths with the past, present and future of this city’s history.
Under the Sea is an intervention of the public realm of a newly built mixed-use development in the city of Chongqing, aiming to activate the open-air retail street through visual stimulation. The project is entirely inspired by the marine world, creating an immersive experience full of fantasy and surprises.
Large floor graphics depicting a stream of water, and a series of eye-catching and socially engaging installations themed as an Undersea World along the pedestrian area play an important role in the social activation of the space as well as in the stimulation of visitors and users.
As its name reveals, the project depicts a colorful and intricate Undersea World, the natural habitat of the Starfish Xingzai, our client’s IP Mascot. We make Xingzai embark on an undersea journey where he meets jellyfishes, algae, shells, octopuses, and even a whale!
Designed as an eventful and meandering stream of water, the grey pedestrian street’s floor turns into a colorful painted scape in Aquamarine hues, encouraging both, pedestrian circulation along the street to keep discovering as well as taking pauses in the mini pocket plazas where floor games and play equipment provide encapsulated doses of joy and entertainment to kids and adults alike.
Taking advantage of the retail street’s layout in 3 different levels due to the site’s topography, the project is carefully designed starting on the top level, where subway stations and arrival points are located, following the water stream downhill to the lower levels, as water would physically behave, to smartly use the full potential of the available space, guiding visitors through the middle level of the retail street, finding fun features and deep sea creatures along the pathway, down to the lower level where the stream of water is stagnant revealing the big starfish Xingzai.
All the 3-dimensional sea creatures and other urban furniture and floor games are strategically located concentrically over contrasting bubbles in Coral hues, organized in a way that leaves accessible the emergency fire track.
Under the Sea has been thoughtfully developed as a “Play Route”, having into consideration different challenges and levels of difficulty for different age groups in different areas. A directional stripe on the floor guides visitors from bubble to bubble, unifying them in a coral path that gives shape and order to the Play Route.
Each of the coral bubbles is a platform hosting specific functions and features that encourage social interactions through leisure and play. Those programmatic bubbles initially executed as 2D floor graphics for circulation, in certain moments become 3D shapes forming urban furniture, play structures and objects for leisure.
Altogether, the intervention enhances and stimulates the experience of visitors along the newly built pedestrian street, and creates successfully a very colorful and stimulating community hub for the neighbors and visitors.
Lollipop Street is a public space activation project that aims to create a trendy outdoor play area as a welcoming and gathering point for the community, right at the front plaza of Jinyang L-Site Mall located in Shanghai’s Free Trade Zone of Lujiazui, for youngsters and families visiting the commercial building in Pudong District.
Lollipop Street | Official Video | 100 Channel
Lollipop Street an intervention in the heart of Shanghai financial district | Official Video | 100 Channel
It is a project inspired by the imaginary “candy world”, borrowing shapes and colors from pop culture objects such as candy canes, lollipops, popsicles, and many more.
It depicts an eye-catching, colorful, and intricate knot designed as an eventful tangled path that, by twisting, bending, and entangling, creates pockets of opportunity for play, entertainment, and leisure.
Taking advantage of the site’s L-shape, the knot is carefully designed to smartly use the full potential of the available space, guiding users through the space, and finding fun features along the intricate path. In that sense, all the 3-dimensional objects are strategically located concentrically over specific circles, in order to leave accessible the emergency fire track.
The Lollipop Street has been thoughtfully developed as a “Play Route”, having into consideration different challenges and levels of difficulty for different age groups in different areas. Thus, the Slide Ring becomes the most challenging play route, intended for children from 10 to 14 years old.
The Hills Ring instead, within the biggest circle, is set to be a less challenging play route for kids from 6 to 10 years old, and ultimately, all the games embedded in the floor graphics are the simplest play route, suitable for kids from 1 to 6 years old.
Each of the circles formed by the revolving knot is a platform hosting specific functions and features that encourage social interactions through leisure and play. Those programmatic circles initially executed as 2D floor graphics for circulation, in certain moments become 3D shapes forming urban furniture, play structures, and objects for leisure.
The whole system of stripes becomes 3-dimensional, by elevating certain stripes from the ground level, in order to create a social amphitheater with enhanced views of the Zutang River, or even vertical walls which quickly grab the attention of visitors with interesting shapes & patterns, as trendy selfie spots for social media sharing.
In the center of the main circle, a dome equipped with slides is crowned with a very eye-catching urban landmark in the shape of a “Lollipop”, as the main recognizable & distinctive IP image of the project.
Altogether, the intervention enhances and stimulates the experience of visitors in all senses, and creates successfully a very colorful and stimulating community hub for the neighbors and visitors of Jinyang L-Site Mall.
Winding Breeze is 100 Architect’s creative design response for the design of a large portion of Beach Corniche, a 9,5 km. corniche recently inaugurated in the UAE.
The client was aiming at adding a cluster of high-quality public amenities to enhance the visitor’s experience in the public realm, equipping the beach corniche with eye-catching and functional activities, including sports, leisure areas, play & entertainment, beach facilities as well as F&B & retail units. All in all, a public space activation project that aims to create a trendy outdoor lifestyle hub and gathering point for the local community as well as for visitors, right next to an international Hotel currently under construction at the Beach Corniche.
The conceptual proposal intends a bold architecturalization of that unique feeling of the sea breeze caressing the skin when arriving at a bespoke tourist destination on holidays. A memorable moment turned into architecture. That is Winding Breeze. A place to reconnect with nature, to feel human. A place to slow down and breath, to connect with others. A place to walk, to skywalk, and enjoy the goodness of UAE’s climate, enhancing outdoor lifestyle facilities.
We have focused our efforts in creating a plastic gesture that could become both, an urban and a natural landmark in the entire UAE and beyond. An eye-catching way of activating the city coastline to attract locals, international visitors, nature & sport lovers, etc.
The breeze loops break the existing never-ending rectilinear beach promenade into smaller human-scale sections, encouraging visitors to slow down and enjoy memorable experiences, indulging in leisure spaces, lush nature, and a wide variety of sport facilities allocated in the pocket plazas created by those loops, all accompanied by a shaded retail and F&B area as an architectural buffer to the busy road.
Each of the pocket plazas formed by the revolving path, becomes a platform hosting specific functions and features that encourage dynamics of social interaction through leisure and play.
The abstract expression of the wind is represented by a swirling pedestrian path that elevates in order to create a microclimate underneath, hosting a shaded park and resulting on a beach skywalk that offers great views both, over the beach and the city, as well as facilitating a pedestrian connection to the urban settlement across the road that currently separates it from the coast.
Altogether, the intervention enhances and stimulates visually and functionally the experience of visitors in all senses, turning this section of the Beach into one of the main catalyzers of social life in Sharjah, through a very colorful and stimulating community hub for neighbors and tourists of Sharjah alike.
"Me enfoqué en desarrollar una arquitectura que llamara la atención de gente común, y para eso, deben ser proyectos en el espacio urbano, el territorio de todos, donde las obras adquirieron un carácter controversial".
Marcial Jesús in AOA from Chile
100 Architects in 250 Things a Landscape Architect should know
Marcial Jesus (100architects) write 5 of the 250 Things a Landscape Architect should know, an abroad collection of knowledge and insight into architecture and common knowledge.
100 Architects in 250 Things a Landscape Architect should know
The Nest in Here Graphics book from Korea
The Nest in another example of eye-catching and hyper-stimulating design done by 100 Architects to improve and beautify the urban public realm, in this case in the city of Chengdu. the capital of the Chinese province of Sichuan.