Shanghai Yacht Club

Haptic Architects has been commissioned to deliver a new home for Shanghai Yacht Club, a lightweight, landscape-first waterfront landmark that will form the focal point of the wider Yangtze River Delta International Sailing Hub development. The main Pavillion will feature a sloped silhouette, drawn from traditional Chinese architecture and the distinctive Bai style of surrounding temples and pagodas. Elevated above the surrounding mangroves, the design is inspired by racing hydrofoils it will serve, which skim the water surface on small blades. 

Overall, the project will consist of a series of buildings and landscape elements on a small chain of islands on the edge of Dianshan Lake, to the west of the city. The centrepiece, The Pavilion, will combine world-class spectator facilities, hospitality spaces, a meeting centre, and an observation tower, alongside integrated commercial and administrative spaces. Shanghai’s largest freshwater lake, Dianshan is an area of outstanding nature, and home to world-class competitive sailing and water sports.

Elevated on four piers to reduce its footprint, and leave a light touch on the forest floor, the Pavilion is designed to sit in harmony with the surrounding trees, at the same time as creating an iconic presence from the water. It will be veiled in a secondary skin of ceramic batons, to create pockets of shade on its layered outdoor terraces, and the light and airy appearance of the building will light up in the evening to form a beacon for guests arriving from the lake. 

The Pavilion will be capped with a carved-out ceremonial space to host regatta prize givings, media events, a members’ lounge, and a museum in honour of Shanghai’s maritime history and culture. The top of the building will feature a roof terrace for panoramic views across the lake, and the marina.

The design draws on traditional Chinese roof forms to create a shaded walkway around the Pavilion’s perimeter. This sheltered undercroft will provide protection from Eastern China’s heat and its seasonal rain, helping to create a comfortable, porous transition between land and water. Affording views back to the forest from the water, and the vista of an existing Pailou, a traditional decorative gateway, the undercroft will also house public gatherings, and small boats and kayaks. The Pavilion will step back from the marina to create a generous harbour promenade, which will also function as a flexible outdoor space for events including trade expos and boat launches. 

The Pavilion will form part of a cluster of smaller structures that host a range of watersport and hospitality functions, including a small teahouse and the rehabilitation of a traditional courtyard house in the Bai architectural style. These will be integrated into a cohesive waterfront destination, which will serve as the focal point of the wider marina, planned to become the largest in East Asia, featuring 500 berths.

Planning and concept design are underway, with works scheduled to start on site later in 2026.