Wutopia Lab's Whale Gate: A Cobalt-Blue Whale Entrance for Shangqiu Residential Complex
Wutopia Lab, located in Shanghai, has finalized Whale Gate, a 242-square-metre entrance inspired by mythical whales for the Jinsha Golden Island residential complex in Shangqiu, Henan province. This structure acts as a portal to a masterplan featuring upscale residences surrounded by greenery. Co-founder Yu Ting drew upon ancient Chinese legends for its design. Comprising a six-layer system with over 4,000 components, it includes a steel framework and double-curved aluminum panels. Weighing around 60 tonnes, it was custom-fabricated for accuracy. The exterior is adorned with 1,170 uniquely shaped cobalt blue panels, while its underside is metallic gold, leading to a staircase and walkway that access a viewing platform. Wutopia Lab describes it as a 'small spatial allegory' in urban life.
Key facts
- Wutopia Lab designed Whale Gate for Jinsha Golden Island residential complex in Shangqiu, Henan province.
- The structure is 242 square metres and weighs approximately 60 tonnes.
- It is constructed with over 4,000 components in a six-layer system.
- The exterior is painted deep cobalt blue, with a metallic gold underbelly.
- 1,170 uniquely shaped aluminum panels were custom fabricated.
- Steel columns were segmented into 7 to 15 pieces, with nearly 10,000 coordinate points for precision.
- The viewing platform features a canopy evoking a whale's blowhole.
- The complex is still under construction.
Entities
Artists
- Yu Ting
- YU Ting
- PAN Dali
- SUN Liran
- LI Hao
- XIONG Jiaxing
- MU Zhilin
- Chloe ZHANG
- WEI Shiyu
- LIU Guowei
Institutions
- Wutopia Lab
- Jinsha Group
- Azure Magazine
- Xuhui Design Co., LTD
- bespoke. Sur-Mesure Engineering Studio
- Daily Architectural Photography
- designboom
- Jinsha Golden Island
Locations
- Shanghai
- China
- Shangqiu
- Henan