The Gathering

In the Gathering, MDO wanted to explore the relationship between the inside and the street. The design creates a space which shifts from "coffee in the morning and alcohol in the evening." MDO wanted to blur the boundary between inside and out, encouraging more interaction and a looser definition between spaces.

MDO has created a space for old and new residents of the surrounding area, a place for meeting, and place to sit and chat and meet your neighbours. A place which can become a community hub.

The design proposed an open "plaza" by using partially open, transparent, and freely movable sliding glass doors along the building façade. This approach has fostered a dialogue between the facade of the old building and the open facade of The Gathering, creating a harmonious interplay between old and new. The widened and track-mounted windowsills are thoughtfully designed to accommodate and facilitate the two-way interaction between the neighborhood and the space, encouraging more interaction between inside and out.

Internally, the "row of red silos" stands out as the most prominent feature of Yangpu's industrial heritage. It has been artistically reimagined as a sectional form, serving as a sculptural representation of urban memory within the space, and has now become a defining symbol of the reception and water bar areas. The bar itself, with its wood-grain finish, has a flat design concept, complementing the two-color blend of coffee and alcohol and visually reinforcing the functional idea of "coffee in the morning, alcohol in the evening."

MDO seamlessly integrated a curved handrail between the first and second floors, which connects the floors and resembles an industrial chimney penetrating through the floor slabs. The large light installation is reminiscent of white smoke rising in a spiral shape, creating a connection between heaven and earth, history and the future. The installation sways gently with the wind, infusing the space with dynamic energy. The rooftop courtyard allows natural light to flow in, creating a dynamic and ever-changing environment.