PAC Place-Making by Nota Architects: Transforming Urban Spaces in Shanghai

A Visionary Urban Hub in Jing’an District

PAC Place-Making is a groundbreaking commercial complex designed by Nota Architects and developed by Keppel in the heart of Shanghai’s Jing’an District. Spanning 19,000 square meters, this mixed-use urban space is envisioned as a vibrant community hub that seamlessly integrates nature, architecture, and social interaction. By employing modern placemaking principles, the project transforms physical spaces into engaging environments that foster meaningful human connections.

Co-Creation and Community Engagement

At the core of PAC Place-Making is a participatory design process that involves nearby residents, local business owners, and key opinion leaders (KOLs). Through interactive discussions, stakeholders shared their insights on lifestyle trends, environmental needs, and sustainability-driven urban design. The findings highlighted a strong demand for public green spaces, biophilic design, and adaptable urban infrastructure, shaping the strategic vision of the project.

A Multi-Layered Spatial Experience

Visitors are welcomed into PAC Place-Making through an immersive journey of discovery, where each space unfolds into the next through carefully curated design interventions:

• Central Waterscape & Wooden Rooftop: A tranquil entrance with a flowing water feature and an organic wooden canopy sets the tone for the space.
• Ascending Mist Auditorium Hillside: A poetic architectural element that leads visitors to an elevated platform, enhancing spatial exploration.
• Sunlit Jungle Café & Eggshell Timber Dome: A biophilic retreat beneath a wooden lattice structure that provides an inviting social space for relaxation.
• Pet-Friendly Wooden Platforms: Designated resting areas for pet owners and their furry companions, promoting an inclusive urban landscape.
• Children’s Play Area & Winding Pathways: A carefully integrated timber dome structure housing a playful environment with swings, ensuring a safe and engaging space for families.

The dynamic interplay between greenery, water, and built forms creates an adaptive streetscape that is at once familiar and surprising, enhancing the connection between visitors and their surroundings.

Sustainability and Adaptive Urbanism

Guided by the principles of Adhocism, the design follows a sustainable lifecycle approach—from concept to construction and ongoing operations. The project incorporates biophilic design strategies, focusing on three essential elements:

1. Mimicry: Inspired by organic forms and natural patterns to create harmonious spaces.
2. Green Integration: Maximizing the use of green elements to enhance well-being and urban biodiversity.
3. Timber Structure: Utilizing environmentally responsible materials that promote low-carbon construction methods.

The Eggshell Timber Dome, a key architectural feature, employs a Zollinger timber structure, renowned for its minimal material consumption and modular assembly efficiency. The structure consists of over 700 precision-cut wooden components, assembled on-site using CNC processing technology. Sustainably sourced Finnish spruce and thermally modified wood enhance both durability and comfort.

Additionally, innovative upcycling techniques ensure that existing infrastructure elements are repurposed—such as transforming electrical boxes into interactive signboards or dog-walking stations—reinforcing a circular design methodology.

Urban Activation & Long-Term Impact

Beyond its architectural appeal, PAC Place-Making is designed to function as a "Third Place"—an essential gathering space beyond home and work that nurtures both community engagement and personal reflection. The management team continuously refines event programming, operational strategies, and streetscape enhancements to foster an evolving urban environment.

Through a comprehensive Tenant Guideline system, the project maintains a balance between visual order and dynamic flexibility, ensuring that storefronts, displays, and interactive installations contribute to an aesthetically coherent yet lively public space.

 Shaping the Future of Urban Living

PAC Place-Making by Nota Architects sets a new benchmark for sustainable urban development, participatory design, and human-centric placemaking. By fostering a strong connection between people, nature, and architecture, this innovative project transforms Shanghai’s Jing’an District into a model of future-forward, community-driven urbanism.

All Photographs are works of Qian Shiyun, Keppel, Wang Pengfei,