City of Light: A Fluid Architectural Marvel

Kris Lin's Community Center Design Transforms Urban Space

The 'City of Light' is not your average community center. It is a city station, a landmark, and a public open space that houses a gymnasium, yoga classroom, children's theme pavilion, café, art gallery, elderly health center, and children's study area. The design is fluid, like water, reflecting the river that flows in front of the project. The aim is to create a community-oriented open space that also serves as the center and landmark of the surrounding community.

Kris Lin's design is unique and challenging. Despite using a cost-effective and conventional material - aluminum plate, the design of a curved facade posed a significant challenge. However, with the help of 3D model design, Lin was able to create a hyperboloid effect with the aluminum plates, realizing a fluid building that is both economical and aesthetically pleasing.

The 'City of Light' is more than just a building; it's a space designed to foster community interaction and communication. It's a space that invites everyone to enter, to participate, and to connect with their neighbors. This design philosophy is a response to the increasing estrangement people feel due to rapid city architecture development. The 'City of Light' aims to counter this by creating a more open and inclusive urban space.

The project, which started in January 2018 and finished in January 2019 in Shanghai, China, is a new building based on an old town project. The government's aim was to build a city station in the old city, hoping to increase interaction between the neighborhoods. The 'City of Light' is a creative and fluid architectural solution to this challenge, designed to bring new vitality to the surrounding old city and serve as a landmark in the community.

The 'City of Light' has been recognized for its innovative design and impact on the community. It was awarded the Golden A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2020, a prestigious accolade granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. These are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.