Project: Arbour Mansion
Architecture: CCD / Cheng Chung Design (HK)
Location: Jianguo East Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
Area: 2000 m2
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Ma Yingwei
Arbour Mansion by Cheng Chung Design sits quietly on Shunchang Road in Shanghai’s historic Huangpu District, honoring the city’s rich architectural legacy while offering a refined vision of contemporary cultivated living. Moreover, this project weaves century-old shikumen, lilong, and Rong Zhai traditions into a bold, yet contextually sensitive, sculptural form.
Respecting Lilong Proportions and Artisanal Craft
First, the façade continues the brick dimensions of traditional lilong mansions, yet elevates them through finely crafted reliefs by Intangible Cultural Heritage master Liang Hangyu and stone carvings from The Bund Restoration Initiative lead artisan. Consequently, uniquely shaped bricks—meticulously finished at only a 5% yield—underscore a commitment to artisanal excellence that resonates with Shunchang Road’s 1901 origins.
Lobby: Monochrome Rhythms and Haipai Elegance
Entering the lobby, one encounters reimagined Rong Zhai contours in a restrained monochrome palette. Furthermore, haipai floor patterns and custom jade-textured door handles introduce subtle opulence. In addition, sweeping herringbone dark-veined marble floors, hammered art glass, and metal accents strike a refined balance between classical restraint and avant-garde boldness.
Themed Salons of East-West Refinement
Next, Arbour Mansion unfolds as a series of intimate, themed spaces—including the “Four Seasons Flower Hall,” “Private Banquet Hall,” “Study,” and “Tea Room.” Each salon captures haipai’s cosmopolitan fusion: oil paintings by local artists and vintage furnishings create a romantic dialogue between East and West, while embroidered wall fabrics and arched mosaics evoke ritualistic charm.
Basement Pavilion and Sculptural Pool
Meanwhile, descending to the basement reveals bold curvilinear gestures and geometric surfaces, culminating in an octagonal pavilion that reinterprets classical beauty through contemporary lenses. Above ground, a minimalist sculptural pool—shaped like a tranquil courtyard—emerges from sleek paving, inviting moments of repose amid layered views of light and shadow.
A Timeless Ode to Refined Living
Finally, Arbour Mansion offers a rare serenity within metropolitan Shanghai. Through subtle luxury, masterful craftsmanship, and a deep dialogue with cultural icons, the design proves that while a century may transform daily rhythms, the aspiration for refined, cultivated living endures.
