Shanghai SkyCircuit

Final Idea – The skycircuit

Outline

The design for the SkyCircuit provides a sustainable and innovative solution to several of the current problems in the Shanghai city centre. In addition to creating a new method of pedestrian circulation around the Pudong financial district, the circuit doubles as a pleasant and relaxing area of green space suspended above the fast-paced and crowded city Shanghai streets. Finally, the new bridge across the Huangpu River connects the financial district of the new town with the old town of Shanghai, creating an easily accessible link between the areas.

The route of the SkyCircuit has been specifically selected to serve many of the areas in the Pudong district. The entrances and exits of the circuit have effectively been grouped into two main hubs.

To the East of the route, four main entrances have been placed in the grounds of an existing area of park space. Each of these follows a different path around the district, with exit steps at regular intervals to serve the needs of the citizens of Shanghai.

To the West of the route, several main entrances have been linked with an existing elevated circular walkway which provides safe pedestrian access to the exits of a busy roundabout. One of the links to the existing structure creates a direct route to the start of the new bridge across the River, providing a complete and virtually uninterrupted link.

The intention of this element of the design is to provide a path whereby the people of Shanghai can effectively bypass the busy hustle of the Pudong district by walking through a relatively isolated area of green space, and remaining in this pleasant green area until they are across the river and in to the old town.

The Structure

The materials and layout of the structure of the circuit itself have been selected to provide a balance of sustainability, economy and slender aesthetics. The choice of structure has also given consideration to the curved nature of many sections of the circuit.

The frame of the structure will be lightweight steel, with both primary and secondary supporting elements. The structural layout should ensure that only the primary beam elements will require bending or cranking to suit the profile of the circuit. The deck will be constructed from a mix of pre-fabricated elements to simplify the erection of the structure. At the edges, precast concrete slabs will be used to support the green areas. On the walkway, pre-fabricated timber decking elements will be used to further enhance the green aesthetics. The use of pre-fabricated elements will also allow for an easy repair if any sections are damaged.

The canopy structure will be formed from a regular series of Glu-Lam arches, tied together at several points with slender Glu-Lam beams. The canopy itself will be divided into two types of area:

1.    Glass – curved structural glass panels will be attached to both the inner and outer edges of the arches to provide an airtight gap. There will be openings formed at the arch bases to allow for ventilation. The glass will provide significant protection against wind and rain. The glass canopy areas will cover approximately 70% of the entire walkway including all of the entrance/exit areas.

2.    Green – the remaining 30% of the walkway will be covered by a green canopy. In these areas, the Glu-Lam frame will be left open, and covered with climbing/hanging plants.

Innovation

The intent of the design is to be as environmentally sustainable and energy efficient as possible. However, the structure will require water for the plants and power to illuminate the walkway at night. It has been determined that a carefully considered and innovative solution may provide both.

To generate energy, solar panels will be attached to the roof of the structure between the arches. The energy will be augmented by the use of kinetic energy capturing panels on the walkway itself. The combined energy from the two systems will be harvested during the day and used to charge cells.

The energy for the cells will be used for two purposes:

1.    The kinetic energy capture panels will have built-in lights with light sensors allowing them to auto-illuminate at night. It may also be possible to configure the panels so that areas of the circuit only illuminate when walked upon, further conserving energy.

2.    The remaining energy will be used to power low energy cooling units installed within the air gap between the canopy glass panels. Once the glass panels are cooled to below the ambient air temperature, condensation will begin to form on the glass. The profile of the panels will allow the condensation to flow into channels running along either side of the walkway and constantly feeding water into the plant beds. Under normal conditions it is anticipated that the cooling units will only be active at night, however this can be reviewed in summer times as the water demand increases and the hours of darkness decrease.

The Bridge

The new bridge over the Huangpu River has been designed to continue the modern, slender and green aesthetics of the SkyCircuit. The structural philosophy of the bridge will generally be cable-stayed. It is anticipated that the structure will require 2 piers in the river to support the deck. The green plant beds of the circuit structure will be continued onto the bridge, and further enhanced with a tree line running down the centre of the deck.