a riverside warehouse repurposed for public use
In ChinaIn the Nanhai area, this Yongping warehouse has seen one renovation with Atelier cnS which transforms a series of riverside industrial buildings into a landscaped terrace public space. Once linked to river trade, the warehouses now occupy a section of the waterfront that is gradually opening up to residents, with access and visibility taking on new importance.
From a distance, the work is defined by a series of translucent, vaulted canopies clustered across the roofline. Their low, clustered profile appears as a continuous form suspended above the existing brick volumes. The gesture is simple and legible and gives the site a recognizable presence along the river, while also drawing traffic upwards.
images © Siming Wu
placement of the park above the building
Yongping Warehouse Renovation organizes its program vertically. THE architects at Atelier cnS keeps interior spaces and ground floor for commercial use, while the roof becomes the main public space. This arrangement responds directly to the narrow footprint and allows the work to extend outwards without increasing its base.
Traffic follows the existing structure. The spaces between the blocks of the warehouse are preserved and widened into passages that connect the street, the interiors and the roof. Moving through them, the river appears at intervals, flanked by walls and stairs before opening up fully at the top.
the project transforms former river trade warehouses into a landscaped public space
working with existing fabric
The original brickwork remains in place, bringing the texture and scale of the former warehouses. Their surfaces show the logic of simple construction, which the project keeps visible rather than covering with new finishes. Against this, new elements – concrete slabs, steel frame and canopy system – introduce a lighter layer that sits on top.
Inside, the removal of the original roof structure allows for increased ceiling height, making the spaces more usable for the current occupants. This displacement is easily read above, where the formerly pitched roofs translate into uneven terrain across the terrace.
a series of tiered dome structures creates a recognizable presence along the river
shaping the roof as ground
The roof is treated as a continuous surface that rises and sinks in response to the underlying structure. Grassy slopes, stepped seating and play areas are spread across it, encouraging movement on different levels rather than a single path.
Materials reinforce this connection to the site’s past. Reclaimed stone appears along the river’s edge, while salvaged timber is repurposed into small installations. These elements sit next to new surfaces of concrete and metal, creating a multi-layered situation without trying to match the original construction.
the roof turns into a continuous public park above active commercial spaces
a canopy that gathers activity
The dome structures define the rooftop atmosphere. Constructed from a hexagonal frame and covered with translucent panels, they provide shade while allowing light to pass through. Their scale creates cushioned zones that support sitting, playing and movement.
Below, the space is open but tempered. The light diffuses and the river remains visible through the structure and beyond the edge. The Yongping warehouse renovation brings these conditions together in a single continuous sequence, where the former industrial buildings support a new pattern of use along the water.
Traffic moves through preserved gaps between the buildings to connect the street to the roof
