Shanghai Business School Caobao Road Campus – Adaptive Reuse by gmp Architects

A Modern Transformation of a Historic Shanghai Campus

The Caobao Road Campus of Shanghai Business School, redesigned by gmp Architects, stands as a powerful example of adaptive reuse architecture, where a once-aging institutional site has been revived into a contemporary learning environment. Located in the Xuhui District of Shanghai, this newly transformed campus was originally home to the School of Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering, founded in 1955 under the Shanghai Institute of Technology.

In 2024, the campus began its new chapter—evolving into a modern academic hub featuring a hospitality college created in partnership with the prestigious Lausanne College of Hospitality Management. The project breathes new life into the site while preserving its architectural legacy, merging historical value with future-focused educational design.

Revitalizing Four Key Buildings Through Adaptive Reuse

The first phase of the renovation focused on rejuvenating four major structures along Caobao Road:

• The main teaching building
• A student dormitory
• The western cafeteria
• An annex repurposed into a library, study lounges, and meeting rooms

These buildings, constructed across multiple decades—from the 1950s to the 1990s—displayed stark stylistic contrasts. gmp Architects developed a unifying architectural language inspired by the elegant, restrained modernism of the original 1950s structures. The result is a cohesive campus environment capable of hosting more than 1,000 students in smart, functional spaces.

Facade Transformation and Architectural Consistency

A central strategy of the redesign was to give the entire campus a shared identity.

• The student dormitory was stripped of ornamental elements added in the 1990s, emphasizing clean and simple lines.
• The cafeteria underwent a meticulous restoration, where historic details—including the original steps, door lintels, and hanging awning ornaments—were reconstructed using archival city drawings.
• A crisp all-white facade palette visually connects the buildings, enhancing spatial clarity and creating a calm, contemporary atmosphere.

This unified exterior strengthens the sense of place while respecting the campus’s mid-century roots.

Minimalist Interior Design Rooted in History

Inside the renovated buildings, the design philosophy continues with minimalist aesthetics and material preservation.

• Original terrazzo floors in the teaching building were repaired and restored to their former beauty.
• In the cafeteria, the existing roof truss system was exposed and celebrated as a defining architectural feature.
• Large glass partitions, clean lines, and light-filled spaces establish a refined environment ideal for learning, collaboration, and relaxation.

The interiors reveal a thoughtful balance between old and new—highlighting heritage while supporting modern academic needs.

Landscape Design That Honors the Campus’s Natural Identity

Landscape architecture, developed with WES LandschaftsArchitektur, plays a pivotal role in shaping the campus’s experience. The outdoor spaces prioritize orientation, openness, and tranquility.

• Most mature trees were preserved, including a 70-year-old magnolia that now anchors the south plaza.
• Towering redwoods remain central to the site’s character, offering shade and continuity.
• Clear circulation paths and soft greenery enhance walkability and encourage daily interaction between students and nature.

The rejuvenated landscape reinforces the campus’s role as a community-oriented educational setting.

A Model of Sustainable, Sensitive Campus Revitalization

The new Shanghai Business School Caobao Road Campus stands as a benchmark for sustainable campus renovation, demonstrating how outdated institutional environments can be reinvented through preservation, thoughtful design, and adaptive reuse.

With its timeless facades, restored materials, and efficient green landscape, the campus embodies the future of environmentally conscious educational architecture in China.

All the photographs are works of Marcus Bredt, CreatAR Images