Viewing the PetroChina Advanced Materials Research Institute from the river

PetroChina Advanced Materials Research Institute

Shanghai, China

The Advanced Materials Research Institute is a new materials research institute designed by Perkins&Will for PetroChina in the Lingang Special Area in Shanghai. This project follows the successful completion of the PetroChina Energy Research Institute in Beijing.

The new institute will focus on developing advanced materials for emerging industries, for use in medicine, electronic information engineering, electric vehicles, and aerospace. It is the first project to be established in the prestigious Science & Technology District of Shanghai Lingang Special Area and represents a pivotal milestone in PetroChina’s transformation into a comprehensive international energy company.

night view
A model of PetroChina Advanced Materials Research Institute
”We envision the future research institute building to foster an open, inclusive, and collaborative ecosystem for scientific research and innovation. It will serve as a new starting point for the group's transformation towards becoming a comprehensive international energy company.“

—Liping Wu, Executive Director of PetroChina Advanced Materials Research Institute

The Core of New Science & Technology District in Shanghai

The project is located at a prominent riverfront location at the core of the future New Science and Technology District in Shanghai, Lingang. The building form creates a pair of public plazas facing out towards the city and the neighborhood. At the centre of the plan, a pair of open courtyards create a place of connection and opportunity for creative collaboration for the scientists working within the complex.

Material Science Research HQ

PetroChina Advanced Materials Research Institute is both a world-class laboratory building, that will meet the demands of cutting-edge scientific research, and also a prestigious corporate headquarters, encouraging academic and business communications.

Aerial View
The design is arranged as a dynamic ’figure of eight’ plan, with open views to the waterfront and greenery surrounding the site.
a Model of PetroChina Advanced Materials Research Institute
The two distinct functional spaces are vertically layered around the naturally lighted public spaces, enhancing the collaboration and synergy between the company’s research and business functions.
River view
All key public and work areas are naturally lit and allow views to the planted courtyards or the green spaces around the building.
An Open staircase continues along the side of the central atrium to link the exhibition and auditorium at L1 with the atrium, workspaces and library at the upper levels.
An open staircase continues along the side of the central atrium to link the exhibition and auditorium at L1 with the atrium, workspaces, and library at the upper levels.
Building Research Communities

The multi-level public areas are designed to enhance an open and welcoming environment.  The ground floor lobby and the central hall step up through the heart of the building as overlapping volumes, lit from above and connected by open stairs.

These grand atrium spaces, which open towards the central courtyards, are designed initiate chance encounters and collaboration.
Highly Flexible Laboratory

The building has eight research departments and a series of shared laboratories, collectively supporting scientific endeavor. The laboratories and write-up office spaces are arranged as parallel modular spaces, allowing for future changes of the department layouts. The office spaces are arranged along the perimeter walls to allow views out to the surrounding greenery.

lab
A fully glazed partition between lab and write up areas makes a direct connection between the activity of the laboratory and the office workspace, and brings views to the greenery from within the laboratory areas.
Future-ready Sustainable Design

To maximise energy efficiency, a combination of an optimized layout and an enhanced HVAC system is employed. This approach is complemented by energy-saving measures through efficient building energy management and a high-performance building envelope. Photovoltaic panels are strategically integrated as part of the building façades and roof systems, generating energy for building use. The project also supports the low-carbon strategies of the larger Lingang Science and Technology area by establishing energy stations and Tesla MegaPack large-scale energy storage systems.

Project Team

Paul Rice - headshot
People
Paul Rice