BDP Delivers 186,000 m2 Research Campus in Shanghai for CTTQ

Shanghai Research Campus Spans 186,000 Square Meters

Architecture studio BDP has completed a 186,000 square meter pharmaceutical research campus in Shanghai, China, for Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group (CTTQ). Located within the Hongqiao International Central Business District, this extensive facility will serve as CTTQ's research and development headquarters.

The campus design is notably inspired by the biological process of cell division, a concept that informs the layout and interconnections of its various structures.

Cellular Division Inspires Interconnected Design

The campus layout reflects the structure of cells, featuring two pairs of interconnected buildings linked by glass-covered bridges. These connections are intended to visually represent cells undergoing division.

Inside, the two primary research buildings include flexible floor plates, with their structural cores positioned at either end to accommodate evolving laboratory requirements. The complex also integrates a smaller block for staff accommodation, an administrative building, and a conference center.

Public Spaces and Amenities Enhance Campus Function

A first-floor sky bridge connects all four main buildings, curving across the campus site. This bridge, along with a central park, provides both indoor and outdoor areas for staff and visitors to gather. The campus also includes amenities such as cafes, a canteen, and a gym on its lower levels, aimed at supporting staff well-being.

BDP director Tianyi Gu noted the design goal was to create a research environment that remains open to the city and its users, fostering collaboration and daily life activities.

Specifying for Large-Scale Research Facilities

Large-scale pharmaceutical research campuses like CTTQ's facility in Shanghai require robust material specifications for both specialized laboratory environments and public-facing areas. The extensive use of glass for bridges and facades suggests a demand for high-performance glazing systems that balance natural light with thermal efficiency.

Flexible floor plates for laboratories indicate a need for modular interior systems, adaptable partition walls, and durable, easily cleanable surfaces.

Procurement teams for similar projects in Asia may look for suppliers capable of delivering integrated solutions for complex, multi-functional buildings, particularly those offering advanced glass, interior fit-out, and FF&E for communal and administrative zones.