Transformed - Baosteel’s blast furnace from the past becomes landmark to nation’s steel heritage

The site of an old blast furnace at Baosteel Stainless Steel Plant has been transformed into a culture park dedicated to the history and importance of China’s steel industry.

CISDI, which had originally designed the blast furnace, took on the responsibility for improving the site and its surrounding landscape.

The 2,500 cubic metre volume blast furnace loyally served Baosteel Shanghai from 1999 to 2016. A major player in China’s ironmaking sector, it changed the country’s reliance on imports for stainless steel production.

Its 17,000 square metre footprint is now preserving generations of China’s steel heritage and promoting the Baowu brand to a wider audience.

An outstanding example of urban revitalisation, the park will put the Baoshan District on the map.

A conference centre, covering an area of 43,600 square metres, has been built on the original blast furnace site.

Landscaping and housing are planned for a 35,000 square metre area around the culture park.

The cultural landmark will be part of the Wusong Innovation City and become a popular visitor experience.

A regular partner for Baosteel’s developments, CISDI has interpreted the history of Baosteel and China’s steel sector in its designs and has imprinted its own architectural language on the culture park.

The Baosteel blast furnace area:

before its transformation

after its transformation