Heatherwick Studio's West Bund Orbit Nears Completion in Shanghai

Heatherwick Studio's West Bund Orbit, a public exhibition hall on Shanghai's West Bund waterfront, is approaching completion. New photographs by Paul Clemence capture the structure's interwoven ribbons of stairs, bridges, terraces, and viewing platforms. The building, located in Xuhui District along the Huangpu River, serves as a cultural heart for the area's new Financial Hub. Its design draws inspiration from traditional Chinese moon bridges, creating a continuous circular motion. Visitors can climb to a rooftop garden with views across the river. The project sits opposite the former site of Heatherwick Studio's Seed Cathedral, the UK Pavilion for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Clemence described the Orbit as a 'nice surprise' while walking along the West Bund river walk, noting its radical design but approachable scale. The building's glazed openings reveal exhibition spaces within, and a second gallery wraps around the main hall.