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DesignNewswire · COMO, Italy ·

Silver A' Design Award in Architecture, Building and Structure Design Goes to Gaofuli Super Highrise Buildings by Shanghai Gaofu Real Estate Development

The international grand jury of the 2024 - 2025 A' Design Award & Competition recognizes Shanghai Gaofu Real Estate Development for architecture, building and structure design

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMO, Italy, April 19, 2025 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has announced that Gaofuli Super Highrise Buildings by Shanghai Gaofu Real Estate Development, designed for Shanghai Gaofu Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., has been granted the Silver A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category. The result belongs to the 2024 - 2025 A' Design Award & Competition and was decided through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who assessed anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.

About the Silver A' Design Award

The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Regarding Gaofuli Super Highrise Buildings

Gaofuli is a high-rise mixed-use building in Shanghai, China. The building stands near heritage conservation districts and Yanzhong Greenland, with an eastward visual link to a central city landmark. The design draws on traditional Shikumen architecture through vertical compositions, polygonal outlines, and softened corners with chamfered and tapered forms. The facade combines copper-toned metals with warm ceramic-like panels. The east and south sides bring in daylight and views, while the partly elevated ground floor places the entrance and drop-off area on the north side.

Award Record

This recognition makes Shanghai Gaofu Real Estate Development a winner of 1 A' Design Award.

About the A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award

The A' Architecture Design Award is an international architectural design competition recognizing good architectural designs by best architects worldwide. The competition is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to architectural design studios, building contractors, structural engineering firms and architecture and design consultants from all countries. Entries typically include skyscrapers, museums, residential buildings, commercial complexes, educational institutions and religious structures. Awarded architectural projects are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/architecture

About A' Design Award & Competition

A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade organized annually since 2008. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The A' Design Award has a philanthropic mission to advance society through good design by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Entries are peer reviewed and anonymously evaluated by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. The A' Design Prize granted to eligible laureates includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, the upload of a work and the preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. Further information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com

Press Resources

Media Contact

Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953

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Fact Sheet

The Work

Project
Gaofuli Super Highrise Buildings
Function
Super Highrise Buildings
Category
Architecture, Building and Structure Design
Discipline
Spatial Design
Industry
Architecture
Colors
Steel Blue, Cadet Blue, Dark Slate Gray, Silver and Black
Images
5
Client
Shanghai Gaofu Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.

The Recognition

Laureate
Shanghai Gaofu Real Estate Development
Country
China
Recognition
Silver A' Design Award
Edition
2024 - 2025
Design ID
#170655

Credits

Team
Shanghai Gaofu Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
Image Credits
Shanghai Gaofu Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.

Design Details

Unique Properties
heritage while integrating modern urban vitality. Strategically positioned near heritage conservation districts and Yanzhong Greenland, the development features a prominent eastward visual link to the city’s central landmark. The design concept harmonizes local cultural identity, natural landscapes, and contemporary living, creating a dynamic balance between preservation and innovation.
Inspiration
As part of Shanghai's urban renewal initiative, this project emphasizes the preservation of local historical features. The ultra-high-rise plot is strategically situated near heritage conservation districts and Yanzhong Greenland, with a visual connection to a prominent city center landmark to the east. Taking these contextual advantages into account, the design concept focuses on seamlessly blending local culture, natural landscapes, and the vibrancy of contemporary urban life.
Research
The site's constraints influence the building's unconventional layout; however, the design team effectively utilizes the east and south sides of the plot to incorporate natural views and maximize sunlight for the development. The ground floor is partially elevated, positioning the entrance and drop-off area on the north side to create a cohesive street frontage that complies with safety and evacuation standards.
Challenge
As part of Shanghai's urban renewal initiative, this project emphasizes the preservation of local historical features. The ultra-high-rise plot is strategically situated near heritage conservation districts and Yanzhong Greenland, with a visual connection to a prominent city center landmark to the east. Taking these contextual advantages into account, the design concept focuses on seamlessly blending local culture, natural landscapes, and the vibrancy of contemporary urban life.
Realization and Technology
In terms of materials and construction, traditional Shikumen architecture is characterized by the use of red and gray bricks, complemented by yellow sand and cement. The stone detailing on the door headers adds to the warm and textured facade. In the modern interpretation, the building facade retains this material tradition by incorporating copper-toned metals and warm, ceramic-like panels, creating a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic.
Operation and Interaction
The design draws from the traditional architectural style of classic Shanghai buildings. Key features include vertical compositions, strong polygonal outlines, and entrance spaces that reflect the vernacular forms found in the surrounding historic conservation area. The iconic shapes of Gaofuli's structures have been abstracted, resulting in softened corners with chamfered and tapered forms. In tribute to the distinctive Shikumen-style doorways.
Project Duration and Location
Shanghai, China Start time: 2023
Specifications
Project area: 46080 square meters
Keywords
Gaofuli, Super High-rise Buildings

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