Architectural Cases

In a visionary urban revitalization effort, Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT has successfully transformed Century Square, a prominent civic and commercial hub on Shanghai's East Nanjing Road. This ambitious redesign re-conceptualizes the square as an engaging and eco-conscious public realm, distinguished by a captivating central kaleidoscopic edifice that redefines the city's architectural panorama. Historically a stage for grand events and vibrant commercial displays, the square now functions as a verdant urban sanctuary, seamlessly connecting People's Square with The Bund, a cherished historical district, all while prioritizing ecological sensitivity and communal engagement.

The conceptual framework for this project draws deeply from Shanghai's evocative name, which translates to 'upon the sea,' weaving this nautical heritage into tangible spatial and material narratives. The design evokes the imagery of a mollusk shell gently opening to unveil a lustrous pearl, represented by the central Kaleidoscope. This structure acts as a dynamic mirror, reflecting and reconfiguring snippets of the urban environment much like the shimmering, ever-changing surface of water. Beneath foot, an intricately designed paving scheme conjures the mystique of an aquatic realm. As evening descends, an integrated lighting system transmutes the ground into a dazzling expanse, reinforcing the maritime allegory while preserving the square's storied legacy of luminous spectacle.

Century Square has consistently held a pivotal position within Shanghai's urban tapestry, serving as a crucial link between significant civic and waterfront landmarks. Traditionally defined by its nocturnal illumination, public performances, and commercial showcases, the site necessitated a transformation that would uphold its performative essence while broadening its societal and environmental contributions. The blueprint devised by EMBT ingeniously preserves the square's capacity for grand spectacle, yet subtly reorients its focus toward enhanced adaptability and daily utility. This reimagined space seamlessly blends zones for large-scale events and exhibitions with abundant public seating, all integrated within a more permeable and verdant landscape. The design anticipates accommodating both substantial gatherings and tranquil moments of repose, thereby extending its relevance beyond scheduled events into the fluid rhythms of everyday urban existence.

Beyond its striking visual appeal, the Kaleidoscope is an embodiment of ecological innovation, housing sophisticated environmental systems that purify the air and contribute to the regulation of the microclimate. This positions the architectural focal point as both a symbolic icon and a high-performing ecological asset. The renewal process introduces considerable green spaces into an area previously characterized by hard urban surfaces. Lush vegetated gradients, strategically placed shade structures, and elements designed to offer protection from rain collaboratively soften the transitions around the towering surrounding buildings and mitigate heat buildup. This comprehensive approach aligns the square's metamorphosis with a broader environmental consciousness prevalent in dense urban centers, where open public spaces must increasingly strike a delicate balance between intensive social use and ecological stewardship. In one of Shanghai's busiest thoroughfares, EMBT's intervention successfully recasts the square as a significant cultural and ecological landmark.

Building a Greener Future: Corn Waste's New Role in Construction

Revolutionizing Construction with Bio-Based Innovation

MANUFACTURA has unveiled CORNCRETL, a novel building composite engineered from organic waste. This material integrates corn processing residues, reprocessed nixtamalization wastewater, and mineral aggregates derived from lime, marking a pivotal advancement in environmentally conscious construction. Its development is geared towards mitigating carbon footprints and embedding principles of a circular economy within the global construction landscape.

Addressing Mexico's Construction Challenges Through Sustainable Materials

The construction industry in Mexico confronts substantial ecological and societal hurdles, primarily due to its reliance on carbon-intensive materials that significantly contribute to national CO₂ levels. Concurrently, workers in this sector often face precarious employment conditions, lacking adequate training and enduring elevated occupational hazards. CORNCRETL offers a comprehensive material strategy that tackles both the environmental impact of building and the ethical considerations of production.

The Composition and Environmental Advantages of CORNCRETL

CORNCRETL is formulated from a blend of limestone, corn stalk remnants, and purified nejayote—a calcium-rich liquid generated during the traditional preparation of corn. This composition draws inspiration from ancient Mayan construction wisdom, seamlessly integrating it with cutting-edge robotic 3D printing methods. This innovative material boasts a carbon emission reduction of up to 70% when compared to conventional concrete, all while operating within a regenerative resource model.

The Enduring Legacy of Corn and the Challenge of Waste in Mexico

For over seven millennia, corn has been central to Mexican civilization, deeply influencing its agricultural, demographic, and cultural fabric. While Mexico remains a global leader in corn production, a substantial portion—approximately 38% annually—is lost to waste, with tortillas contributing nearly a third of this figure. The strategic repurposing of corn byproducts, including nejayote, presents both ecological benefits and economic opportunities.

Transforming Nejayote and Traditional Lime into Modern Building Blocks

Historically discarded, nejayote contains valuable calcium and organic compounds that can be transformed into construction inputs. CORNCRETL incorporates these recycled elements with Geocalce T, a mineral aggregate composed of natural hydraulic lime, geobinders, river sand, dolomitic limestone, and Carrara marble powder. This fusion signifies a cultural and material dialogue between Mexican agricultural resources and Italian mineral heritage.

Reviving Ancient Wisdom: Lime-Based Construction and its Modern Relevance

Lime-based building techniques have a long-standing history in Mesoamerica, where mixtures like sascab, known as 'White Earth' by the Mayans, were prized for their breathability, strength, and environmental compatibility. MANUFACTURA's CORNCRETL reimagines these historical properties using contemporary manufacturing processes. Unlike Portland cement, lime-based systems cure at ambient temperatures and require less energy for calcination, leading to reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. These materials also offer natural humidity regulation and inherent self-repair capabilities for minor surface imperfections.

Advanced Fabrication with Robotic 3D Printing for Corn-Based Composites

The manufacturing process for CORNCRETL has been finely tuned for robotic 3D printing. Corn waste undergoes collection, drying, shredding, and pulverization to achieve a consistent particle size suitable for extrusion. This prepared material is then mixed with mineral aggregates and organic binders to create a printable compound. Extensively tested using a WASP Concrete HD Continuous Feeding System paired with a KUKA robotic arm, various wall prototypes were printed and cured at room temperature.

Additive Manufacturing's Role in Sustainable and Scalable Construction

Additive manufacturing negates the need for traditional formwork, thereby reducing material waste by as much as 90% and allowing for precise geometric forms. During the WASP Residency 2025 in Italy, research focused on optimizing the material blend and assessing its scalability for architectural applications. Structural evaluations measured compressive strength and material consumption. The development of modular wall panels (40 cm, 60 cm, and 80 cm tall) demonstrates the potential for creating lightweight, affordable housing units. These wall designs, inspired by Rimini's terrazzo motifs, showcase the material's versatility in creating diverse patterns, curves, and non-linear shapes. By integrating agricultural waste, lime-based chemistry, and digital fabrication, CORNCRETL positions bio-based construction as a culturally resonant and technically viable solution.

Forging a Sustainable Path Through Resource Recovery and Technological Integration

This initiative frames construction as a domain of material recovery and technological innovation. By blending ancestral knowledge of lime construction, corn byproducts, and digital manufacturing, CORNCRETL offers an alternative, sustainable pathway for building practices in Mexico. This approach underscores the importance of reduced emissions, circular resource utilization, and scalable housing solutions.