No. 1111 Yuanshen Road Research & Development Centre

A new landmark for innovation in Pudong

The 1111 Yuanshen Road Research & Development Centre is a 51,000-square-meter, 15-story facility that strengthens the cultural and civic fabric of Shanghai’s Pudong New Area while meeting rigorous sustainability standards. Located along Century Avenue, it faces the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum to the south and the Yuanshen Sports Center Stadium to the north, anchoring itself within the city’s prominent cultural axis.

Designed as both a workplace and a civic destination, the building lifts its corners to create open plazas that encourage gathering, exchange and interaction between occupants and the broader community. These active ground-level spaces provide a transition between the workplace and surrounding parks, further opening the building to the city.

AECOM provided integrated services for the project, including architectural design, MEP, structural engineering, and landscape design, delivering a high-performance commercial office building.

Architectural design with rhythm and openness

Drawing inspiration from the elegance of a piano keyboard, the façade introduces alternating light and dark perforated panels across a transparent glass curtain wall, producing a rhythmic, vertical cadence. Integrated operable windows balance ventilation, shading and visibility while preserving the façade’s integrity.

All rooftop equipment is concentrated within a 420-square-meter area, enclosed by the same perforated aluminum panels used on the main façade. This configuration preserves the building’s cohesive architectural language while also creating a spacious rooftop garden for the owner, significantly enhancing the project’s overall value.

Sustainability embedded in design and delivery

The center was conceived as a model of green and energy-efficient design. A suite of systems, including high-performance façades, a rainwater recycling system, an energy consumption monitoring system, an exhaust heat recovery system, and an indoor air monitoring system, were integrated to minimize environmental impact while ensuring healthy indoor air conditions.

These strategies were reinforced by advanced construction methods. With 65 percent of building components prefabricated, compared with the 40 percent industry benchmark, the project demonstrated leadership in resource-efficient delivery while supporting broader sustainability goals.

As a result, the building achieved a 65.2% energy-saving rate and was awarded both a Two-Star Green Building Design Label and LEED Gold Certification, affirming its high standards of sustainable design.

More than a workplace, the center illustrates how thoughtful architecture can advance sustainability goals, enrich urban life and create spaces that connect people with their city.