The INLET Block 2 is a contemporary retail insertion located along North Sichuan Road in Hongkou District, Shanghai. The intentionally simple form of this three-storey retail building draws inspiration from the peculiarities of the site, designed to reflect and accentuate the site’s rich heritage. Acting as a prelude to the new large development on Hongkou Lot 18 - LifeHub @ Bund Central, consisting of offices, a mall, street retail and museums distributed across new and old buildings, The INLET Block 2 is part of a comprehensive masterplan that weaves together history, culture and retail experience.
The resulting architecture is an Urban Portal transcending time and space, responding sensitively to the historicity and scale of the site. The building extends deeply into its context, creating interesting spatial and experiential possibilities, and inviting visitors to freely construct their unique retail experiences. This design puts forward a proposition on how architectural space, more than the object, takes precedence when planning for building interventions within a historically rich context.
