Project Name: Expo Cultural Park Greenhouse

Location: Shanghai, China

Design Team: Delugan Meissl Associated Architects (DMAA)

Building Area: 47,000 square meters

Completion Date: September 2024

Photographer: CreatAR Images

Feature：

Project - In a groundbreaking architectural intervention, Delugan Meissl Associated Architects (DMAA) has reimagined urban space through their latest project: the Expo Cultural Park Greenhouse. Nestled in Shanghai's rapidly evolving Pudong district, this innovative complex represents a bold reimagining of sustainable architecture, transforming a former industrial wasteland into a vibrant ecological showcase.

Straddling the delicate boundary between industrial heritage and ecological innovation, the greenhouse complex emerges as a powerful statement on urban regeneration. The architects have masterfully repurposed an existing steel structure from a former industrial hall, creating a dynamic framework that seamlessly integrates organic pavilions within its geometric embrace. This architectural dialogue between hard industrial infrastructure and fluid natural forms encapsulates Shanghai's complex narrative of technological progress and environmental consciousness.

The project's most striking innovation lies in its radical approach to energy efficiency. Challenging conventional greenhouse design, DMAA has created a zero-energy building through sophisticated environmental strategies. Utilizing single glazing—a counterintuitive choice validated by precise simulative calculations—the structure minimizes energy consumption while maximizing natural light and plant health.

Three distinct pavilions offer visitors an immersive journey through diverse ecosystems: from the stark, rocky landscapes of arid deserts to the lush abundance of tropical rainforests, and finally to versatile vertical flower gardens. Each space not only showcases botanical diversity but also serves as a subtle environmental education platform, drawing attention to global challenges of plant conservation and climate adaptation.

By transforming an industrial site into a living, breathing ecological center, DMAA has delivered more than just a greenhouse—they've created a manifesto for urban regeneration that places nature at the heart of architectural innovation.

Design Team - Founded in Vienna, Austria in 1993, Delugan Meissl Associated Architects (DMAA) has emerged as a pioneering architectural practice that consistently challenges conventional design paradigms. With a robust team of over 40 international professionals, the firm has established a global footprint through more than 100 innovative projects across Europe, China, the United States, South America, and the Middle East.

Led by founding partners Elke Delugan-Meissl, Roman Delugan, alongside Dietmar Feistel and Martin Josst since 2004, DMAA distinguishes itself through a radical commitment to contextual and experimental design. Their architectural philosophy transcends mere functional solutions, instead exploring the intricate relationships between built environments, social dynamics, and ecological imperatives.

The firm's portfolio exemplifies a remarkable versatility, spanning cultural landmarks, educational facilities, exhibitions, healthcare complexes, and urban interventions. Iconic projects like the EYE Filmmuseum in Amsterdam, the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, and the Festspielhaus Erl demonstrate their ability to create spatially dynamic and conceptually sophisticated architectural experiences.

DMAA's approach is defined by an unwavering dedication to innovation, pushing architectural boundaries through precise interventions that respond sensitively to local contexts while maintaining a bold, forward-thinking design language.