Sunshine Insurance · Shanghai Sheshan Retirement Community

The project is located at the foot of Sheshan Mountain in Songjiang District, Shanghai, which is the only mountainous forest area in the Shanghai region. The region is home to the 'Nine Peaks and Three Lakes', led by Sheshan Mountain, which is widely considered to be the source of Shanghai's ancient culture. The conceptualisation of the retirement community has been informed by the principle of harmonious coexistence between nature and culture. The project has also been developed with the aim of repurposing existing properties, thereby creating a living environment for the elderly that is fundamentally different from conventional nursing homes. The renovation design aimed to transform the dark, cold and monotonous indoor environment into a bright and pleasant living space that is safe for the elderly. Amenities include a spacious communal lounge, a residents' dining hall, a swimming pool, an art and calligraphy studio, a tea room, a yoga class, a fitness room, and a banquet hall. The community has a total floor area of approximately 75,000 sqm and was completed in December 2024.

The ceiling design for the communal lounge draws inspiration from 'zao jing' found in traditional Chinese architecture, featuring a central well that rises upwards. Within the central well is the 'Four Directions and Eight Directions' wooden artwork, which unfolds outwards in layers to create a sense of height and depth in the space and convey the philosophical concept of 'unity between heaven and humanity'.

The long corridor connects all the main public areas, including the reception lobby, dining hall and swimming pool. Pass by the swimming pool and you will see that the continuous window openings form a series of picture frames. These capture not only the shimmering surface of the pool, but also the refreshing breeze visible when you look up, as the ceiling resembles a fan that opens and closes.

We are dedicated to transforming the standardised approach to ageing-friendly design into a nurturing and inclusive environment, allowing seniors to experience the natural healing environment and immersion in local culture, while also benefiting from the convenience of intelligent, ageing-friendly facilities and remote medical care.