Thresholds

This project is a response to the urban renewal of the Huaihai Road area. Preliminary research revealed severe issues of commercial homogenization and the overshadowing of original cultural heritage. Using the concept of urban acupuncture, I identified the alley entrances along the street's lilong (traditional lane-house neighborhoods) as design opportunities. Each of these entrances was reimagined with a new gateway, a fresh intervention that enhances basic infrastructure for the lilong residents while providing spaces for visitors to relax and explore. These gateways act as windows into the vibrant life of the lilong communities. They are portals for outsiders to step into the essence of real Shanghai living, and they offer the original residents the opportunity to step beyond their confined environments, reclaiming Huaihai Middle Road as a space for everyday life.