Renovation of Somekh Building by SHISUO Design Office: Preserving Heritage on the Bund, Shanghai

The Somekh Building, originally constructed in 1921, stands as one of the most iconic heritage landmarks in Shanghai’s historic Bund district. Designed by the renowned architectural practice Atkinson & Dallas Co. Ltd, the building embodies the cultural and architectural legacy of early 20th-century Shanghai. A century later, in 2021, SHISUO Design Office was commissioned to renovate the 650 m² structure, breathing new life into its historic fabric while ensuring its relevance for contemporary use. Completed in 2022, the renovation celebrates a delicate balance between restoration, adaptive reuse, and architectural innovation.

Historical Context and Significance

The Somekh Building is more than just a historic structure; it is a piece of Shanghai’s cultural memory. Located in the Bund’s heritage protection zone, the building reflects the city’s cosmopolitan character during its golden age of trade and development. Over time, however, urban growth and changing uses left the building in need of sensitive restoration. SHISUO’s challenge was to repair and reinterpret the architecture without erasing its layered history, creating a space that connects past, present, and future.

Design Scope and Strategy

The renovation covers the entrance foyer, a first-floor exhibition hall, a second-floor event space, the third-floor atrium, and the circulation elements that link these spaces, including the spiral staircase and lift lobby. SHISUO’s approach was guided by three principles:

• Historical authenticity: researching original drawings, materials, and architectural features.
• Functional adaptation: creating usable, modernized spaces for exhibitions, events, and hospitality.
• Contextual harmony: ensuring new interventions blend seamlessly with the Bund’s architectural fabric.

Entrance and Ground Floor Transformation

The entrance foyer sets the tone for the entire renovation. Severely damaged flooring was repaired, and a new aggregate concrete wall enclosure defines a sheltered corner space that opens toward the city. The entrance door, inspired by Bund’s Art Deco heritage, was reimagined with a contemporary touch, merging tradition with modernity.

Inside, exposed star-shaped concrete beams highlight the building’s raw structural character, while a newly installed brass chandelier adds warmth and elegance. This interplay between rough and refined materials evokes both memory and modernity, making the foyer a symbolic threshold between eras.

Exhibition and Event Spaces

The first-floor exhibition hall preserves and restores original details wherever possible. The teak datum was reconstructed using archival references, and the classical-style column caps were carefully repaired. The exposed textures of the original columns were intentionally retained, showcasing the marks of time.

A brass spiral staircase connects the exhibition hall to the second-floor lounge, with an open ceiling design that frames natural light and views of the sky. On the second floor, three rooms were demolished and transformed into a multifunctional event space. Here, SHISUO used the language of beam structures to bring order to a previously chaotic setting of pipes and equipment, turning it into a ceremonial environment for gatherings and performances.

The Atrium and Spiritual Core

The third-floor atrium and dark room represent the building’s most symbolic and spiritual spaces. The atrium is marked by restored pilasters and plaster finishes, with arched windows echoing the building’s façade. These design moves establish a strong visual identity while maintaining continuity between interior and exterior.

In contrast, the dark room is wrapped in black metal, creating a mysterious and contemplative corner. By juxtaposing light and dark, openness and enclosure, SHISUO amplifies the building’s experiential depth and symbolic meaning.

Rediscovering the Unbuilt Dome

A highlight of the renovation is SHISUO’s discovery of an unrealized glass dome from Tonghe & Co.’s original 1920s drawings. To honor this lost design, architects created an “octopus window”, inspired by the unbuilt dome, opening the floor to connect the spiral staircase, second-floor lounge, and upper atrium. This intervention not only revives a forgotten architectural idea but also builds a dialogue between past visions and present realizations, offering visitors a memorable journey through time.

Philosophy of Preservation and Renewal

For SHISUO Design Office, the renovation of the Somekh Building is not about mere replication or superficial repair. Instead, it embraces a philosophy of balance—between preservation and renewal, repair and deconstruction, history and modernity. By blending authentic restoration with sensitive new interventions, the design respects historical integrity while creating fresh cultural value.

The result is an architecture that allows visitors to experience the traces of history while engaging with contemporary design, making the Somekh Building once again a living part of Shanghai’s urban fabric.

Project Details

• Project Name: Renovation of Somekh Building
• Architects: SHISUO Design Office
• Location: The Bund, Shanghai, China
• Area: 650 m²
• Year of Completion: 2022
• Photography: Runzi Zhu

The renovation of the Somekh Building is a testament to Shanghai’s evolving architectural identity. By preserving heritage while introducing carefully considered new elements, SHISUO Design Office ensures the building continues to serve as both a historical landmark and a contemporary cultural space. It demonstrates how adaptive reuse and heritage conservation can coexist, offering a model for the sustainable future of urban heritage architecture.

All photographs are works of Runzi Zhu