Pier One Dishui Lake by TM Studio

Pier One Dishui Lake is a remarkable example of modern waterfront architecture, located within the 80-meter green belt surrounding Dishui Lake in Lingang New Town, Shanghai. Designed by TM Studio and led by architect Tong Ming, the project transforms a functional pier into a vibrant public space that seamlessly integrates with its surrounding landscape. The site also connects directly to the Dishui Lake terminal station of Metro Line 16, making it an essential link between Lingang New Town and the heart of Shanghai.

The pier serves as a docking point for cruise ships and provides comprehensive tourist facilities. Rather than being a standalone structure, Pier One blends fully with the lake’s green belt, enhancing the natural environment while offering functional and recreational spaces for the public.PublicSpaceDesign

Landscape-Oriented Design

The design strategy emphasizes the integration of architecture and landscape. TM Studio avoided the conventional separation between pier buildings and green spaces by implementing a landscape-oriented approach. The pier and its surrounding environment are connected through a continuous flow of movement and activity, creating a waterfront experience that feels natural and engaging.

Multi-dimensional circulation lines guide visitors through the site, transforming the previously monotonous green belt into a dynamic public space. This approach ensures ecological continuity, supports leisure activities, and promotes interaction between people and nature.

Architectural Features

Pier One Dishui Lake features layered spatial arrangements, including wide steps, ramps, platforms, tree pools, and courtyards. A multi-hole arc-shaped green roof crowns the site, allowing light and shadow to interact with vegetation while creating an immersive spatial experience. Trees planted on the roof and around the pier further integrate the building into the landscape, blending structure with nature.

The architectural design allows the pier to function as more than a transportation hub. Its open spaces, terraces, and courtyards encourage recreational and social activities, while maintaining connectivity with the broader green belt and waterfront. The building itself becomes part of the landscape, promoting ecological awareness and sustainable urban living.

Public Engagement and Sustainability

By reimagining the pier as a multifunctional public space, the project encourages both daily activity and cultural events. Visitors can engage in leisure activities along the waterfront while enjoying the rich visual and spatial hierarchy created by the building’s design. This approach nurtures a sense of community, environmental responsibility, and connection to nature.