Urban Pastoral Community Affordable Rental Houses

The project is based on the national strategy of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals in China, the life demands of "Shanghai drifters"(young people who come to Shanghai for work) and the urban background of the Shanghai's epidemic. The design analyzes the multiple problems faced by the project and responds one by one through the design, trying to create an urban pastoral community that is self-sufficient, neighborhood-rich, low carbon and energy regeneration.

The design meets the requirements of Shanghai's affordable rental housing construction, the background of the Shanghai's epidemic, and China's policies on carbon peaking and neutrality. Through a progressively layered enclosed building layout, with a ground-level rural living area as the core and a large area of vegetable planting coverage, and the use of low-carbon and environmentally friendly materials to create a self-sufficient, harmonious, and low-carbon community within the urban area.

It is used by Shanghai Housing and Land Administration Bureau in China.

The concept originated from reflecting on urban resilience during epidemic lockdowns, when food accessibility and community connectivity became critical urban issues. We envisioned the “urban pastoral” as a new living model — one that merges agricultural production with everyday residential life. The design evolved through layering: ground-level community vegetable fields provide a shared farming experience, while mid-level sky gardens and rooftop plots extend cultivation vertically. This multi-level system not only enhances self-sufficiency but also creates diverse spaces for neighborly interaction, education, and relaxation. The design thus redefines affordable housing as a living ecosystem — sustainable, participatory, and socially vibrant.

Energy efficiency was achieved through a combination of passive design strategies and renewable technologies. The building orientation optimizes solar gain and natural ventilation, while external shading systems and green façades reduce heat absorption. Solar panels on rooftops generate renewable electricity, complementing the self-generating electricity floor, which converts kinetic energy from human movement into usable power for public lighting. Additionally, the integration of self-luminous concrete materials in public paths reduces nighttime energy consumption. Together, these innovations enable significant energy savings and advance the project’s alignment with China’s carbon reduction and sustainable city goals.

The project’s spatial framework was designed for dual functionality — everyday social life and emergency response. Under normal conditions, each floor features semi-open communal spaces for socializing, shared cooking, or leisure, fostering neighborly bonds. During public health emergencies, these same areas can be rapidly reconfigured into temporary medical checkpoints or isolation support zones, ensuring safety without compromising accessibility. Vertical circulation routes are clearly defined to separate living, service, and medical flows when needed. This flexibility reflects an urban planning philosophy that views architecture not just as shelter, but as a resilient infrastructure capable of adapting to evolving social needs.