An integrated modern industrial machine — study on the documentation of the shanghai municipal abattoir and its renovation

Abstract

The Municipal Abattoir was constructed in the former Shanghai International Settlement in 1933, which was recognized as the largest and most modern one in the Far East, and is now accorded ‘Shanghai Outstanding Modern Architecture’. Its architectural space, originated from a unique design and construction process, is as complicated as a huge integrated machine. In order to understand the early influence of English colonial architecture design on settlements in China, this paper investigates a series of problems associated with the abattoir, such as the design process, construction techniques, material quality control etc. by studying many original documents. The abattoir represents the international level of Shanghai modern industrial buildings at that time. After being abandoned for a long period, the abattoir was renovated in 2008 and soon drew plenty of attention both here and abroad. A successful renovation effectively establishes a new contact between people and a site. This paper further explores the m thods for reconstructing a creative platform from an industrial heritage.