Arena Under Bridge / Atelier XÜK

The project is an outdoor exhibit for the 2023 Shanghai Urban Space Art Season, located under a vehicular bridge on the west bank of the Huangpu River in Xuhui District, Shanghai. The public space along the Huangpu River has always been important in Shanghai. It is regarded as a venue for gatherings and daily activities by the residents living around. All kinds of public activities are scattered throughout the riverside from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., such as exercising and various square dancing. The lowest net height of the space under the bridge is about 2.2 meters, which is not suitable to accommodate large activities. If people could be guided over the flood control wall, they could use the old bridge built in 1986 beside the Hongwen Paper Mill- to cross the Zhangjiatang River and back to the sidewalk of the Huangpu River. Compared to crossing the river by the overpass, the new way completes the pedestrian system on the ground. In addition, public activities can be led to the riverside of Zhangjiatanggang River. As an outdoor exhibit participated in the 2023 Shanghai Urban Space Art Season, both time and funding were limited. Combined with the existing space characteristics, we adopted a strategy of light intervention to guide people over the flood control wall and form a new way for public use.