TANACUBE

The study site is situated within an alley linking a residential enclave and a primary school in downtown Shanghai. These narrow passageways, remnants of large-scale historical development, now serve as urban residual spaces. They offer an opportunity for revitalization efforts aimed at enhancing community life and providing essential amenities within the constraints of limited space.



This alley is lack of design, it divides the pedestrian and vehicular space by using posts. The distance between posts becomes a familiar scale of public space in everyday life. Apply this distance to generate grid and colume, it becomes a modular approach which serves as the foundation for a versatile public infrastructure. Inspired by the concept of tangram, these foundational modules can be configured in over 2,000 different combinations. This adaptability enables the replication and expansion of the system to suit the unique needs of various neighborhoods.



Tangram is a Chinese puzzle dating from the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century. It consists of seven flat pieces: two large triangles, two small triangles, a medium-size triangle, a square, and a parallelogram. These seven pieces has more than 2000 different combinations.



The Tanacube represents a three-dimensional evolution of the Tangram, offering remarkable flexibility in creating diverse street furniture. Its adaptable design, comprised of various combinations of columns and panels, facilitates a wide array of activities catering to different demographics. This versatility ensures that the urban space can accommodate the needs and preferences of various community groups effectively.