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​The Behind Story of Pocket Palaza, Project Honored with the Highest Asian Architecture Award in 2021

ARCASIA(Architects Regional Council Asia) has announced the winners of the ARCASIA Awards for Architecture 2021. Among 224 eligible submissions from more than 15 countries, the project of Pocket Plaza on Yongjia Rd, Shanghai, designed by ZHUANG Shen, Professor in Practice from Shanghai Jiao Tong School of Design, has received the Gold Medal in Social and Cultural Building category, as well as a Special Award for Socially Responsible Architecture.

Pocket Plaza is a small public space enclosed with galleries located in downtown Shanghai. Adopting a tinber-steel strcuture, with seats under the gallery, and the square dry fountain, the design creates a quiet and dynamic space atmosphere and endless possibilities of space use.

With the functions of culture sharing, flea market, charity bazaar, landscape sketching... This little space has become a “treasure box”, which brings residents much fun. On the premise of ensuring pandemic control and preventions, it also enriches the lives of locals and enhance the sense of belonging to the community. ZHUANG said that the design process is also a process of comprehending and rediscovering life, to understand people’s unique needs. This simple but practical space naturally fits Yongjia Road. “A designer’s value can be fully reflected when all designs are based on human perception."

The ARCASIA Award acknowledge exemplary architectural work and in doing so celebrate the Asian spirit, encourage the development and improvement of the Asian built environment and enhance the awareness of the role of architects in the socio-economic and cultural life of Asian countries. It aims to demonstrate that good architecture is a key positive influence on the human environment and that successful physical development in Asia need not be in disharmony with the cultural values, national identity, or the natural environment of developing countries in Asia.

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