Lower Hall

Nestled within Shanghai’s Zhangjiang High-tech Park, the Lower Hall, part of the ATLATL Innovation Cluster, pulses with a unique retro-futuristic energy. This isn’t your typical waiting area. The Lower Hall, completed in July 2020, was designed by Various Associates to be a vibrant hub within this life sciences R&D platform. The name “ATLATL,” meaning “spear-thrower,” hints at the spirit of innovation that permeates this space. Imagine a place where the sleek lines of modern design meet the soft hues of a bygone era. The Lower Hall embodies this fusion, with circular geometries, gentle curves, and a dome ceiling that evoke a sense of orbiting planets. The color palette, a blend of greyish green, symbolizes the intersection of nature’s green and the futuristic grey. This intriguing blend extends to the furniture, where smooth edges and tactile materials create a comfortable yet otherworldly feel. The Lower Hall isn’t just visually striking. It’s also designed with a narrative in mind. The designers envisioned it as a “Waiting Hall,” a space that reflects our daily anticipation – waiting for sunrise, sunset, for work, for dinner. But they also layered a deeper meaning into this waiting – the wait for the future. The design team played with the concept of time, extending from the present to connect past glories with future visions. This “retro-futuristic” approach creates a space that transcends a simple timeline, where the past and future intertwine. The ring “floating” in the atrium connects the different levels, creating a fluid circulation that accommodates up to 200 people. From the atrium to the water bar, restaurant area, and more private sections, the Lower Hall offers a variety of experiences within a cohesive design. This attention to flow and function makes the Lower Hall not merely a waiting area, but a dynamic “body energy station.” It’s a place where high-level researchers, and perhaps even you, can dine, relax, socialize, and perhaps, even contemplate the future. The Lower Hall invites you to pause, to reflect, and to experience a space where time takes on a new dimension.