DUTS design Transforms the Old Haiyi Building into a Vibrant Urban Showcase with Strategic Light-Touch Renewal

Recently, the overall renovation of Haiyi Business Building in Changning District, Shanghai, hosted by DUTS design, has been successfully completed. This commercial office building, which has been in service for nearly two decades, now reemerges as the "LC Center" with a brand-new look. 

Adopting "lightweight renovation" as the intervention strategy and "urban showcase" as the core concept, the design team has not only accomplished the contemporary transformation of the building’s appearance, but also strived to activate the urban interface, responding to Changning District’s development positioning of building a "high-quality international urban area".

"We often fall into the trap of excessive pursuit of 'newness'," said Zhong Ling, Founder and Chief Architect of DUTS design. "The renovation practice of Haiyi Building demonstrates that a 20% to 30% targeted renewal based on the existing conditions is sufficient to unleash 100% of the building’s revitalization potential."

The renovation of Haiyi Building is a complete practice of DUTS design’s philosophy of "place spirit reshaping" and "space creating value". It proves that in urban stock renewal, precise "lightweight renovation", integration of green technologies and creation of shared spaces can effectively enhance building value and inject new vitality into the urban interface.

The revitalized LC Center has transformed from an outdated spatial carrier into an "urban showcase" that demonstrates regional development and gathers innovative talents. It not only provides a valuable "micro-renovation" model for urban renewal in Changning District, but also reaffirms the important role of design in activating urban potential and promoting sustainable development.