PES-Architects win design competition for Shanghai Submarine Museum

The west bank of the Huangpu River in central Shanghai is undergoing a major urban transformation with old industrial docks and sites being converted into cultural venues, public parks and recreational sites.

The museum will initially showcase a decommissioned submarine, and will expand to include flexible exhibition event spaces and a restaurant. 

The architects’ concept places the museum as a bridge on top of the submarine and across the dock pool, allowing for continuous flow across the site while leaving most of the dock intact. In the first phase, a low, simple structure of 500 sq m is set to be completed in early 2022. The building will grow upwards by 3,000 sq m in the second phase (2023). 

The building offers views towards the river, the dock and the submarine and the reflective mirror facade attracts attention yet respects its environment. Glass, steel and wood form an elegant contrast to the rough textures of the museum dock.

The dock floor has a gradually undulating topography that can be partially filled with water to form pools, changing the outlook and function of the area.

The competition was organised as a two-phase invited tendering procedure with a total of seven participating design practices. The jury commended PES-Architects’ proposal for its considered relationship with its surroundings, retaining the feel of the industrial dock and showcasing the submarine, yet creating an artistic architectural image towards the Huangpu River. The solution for the two construction phases was also considered successful.