The Roof, also known as the Red Building, is a biophilic commercial and office complex delivered by the ASPECT Studios in the traditional backstreets of Shanghai. The project designed by Jean Nouvel was inspired by the conventional laneways of Shanghai called Li’long which offer a break from the bustling urban life in this megalopolis.
Living façades of the Roof allow people to get in touch with nature and break from the surrounding urban life.
The most prominent feature of the complex is its living façades enlivened by the horizontally arranged flower pots. These various kinds of plants are optimal for office life as they clean the air, and reduce solar exposure and temperature in summer. As for the colder seasons, the plants shed their leaves, allowing natural light into the complex, and the soil acts as a layer of thermal insulation.
