In Shanghai’s Xuhui District, the Chinese studio AAN Architects has designed a skatepark that makes skating above the rooftops of the metropolis possible: the Moreprk Skyline Skatepark.
Ever skated 20 meters above the ground? In Shanghai, this is set to become reality thanks to the Chinese architecture studio AAN Architects, who have created a truly exceptional skatepark with their project called Moreprk Skyline. The park is designed not only to provide a unique sporting experience, but also to draw attention to another attraction: Shanghai’s skyline. The metropolis is not only one of the largest and most populous cities in China, but also one of the world’s must-see travel destinations — not least because it offers an impressive blend of history, culture, and ultra-modern urban life.
The skatepark is located in the Xuhui District, in the southwest of Shanghai. The location is significant, as the district is considered a pioneering area for the exchange between Chinese and Western culture. Around 1.1 million people live in Xuhui alone, enjoying a mix of modern urbanity and historic architectural styles. Alongside numerous cultural centers, the district has now been further enriched by this extraordinary skatepark — with the skyline integrated down to the smallest detail.
Ramp Poetry
The facility is situated on the third and fourth floors of the Xuhui Vanke Center shopping complex. Thanks to its immediate proximity to Shanghai South Railway Station, the complex is excellently connected and serves as a hub for almost everything: retail, offices, gastronomy, and leisure facilities are united under one roof. Designed as a glass box, the skatepark seems to float above the building, while its interior is shaped by the city itself. The architecture studio based the skatepark’s design directly on the skyline. The contours of the high-rise buildings were translated into curved skating surfaces and ramps that are intended to simulate flowing movements.
The flow, which is so essential in skating, should never be interrupted — which is why the bowl, with its many vertical surfaces, ensures a holistic experience. This large, bowl-shaped concrete basin is connected to additional curved surfaces, allowing skaters to move seamlessly from one obstacle to the next without interruption. The concept is complemented by ramps and street elements. The latter create an authentic urban skating atmosphere — including railings, ledges, and stairs that enable genuine street-style skating. In addition, Moreprk Skyline flexibly adapts to a wide variety of skating styles and experience levels. The ramps and the bowl are made of specially polished concrete, perfectly suited for skating.
Suspended in Mid-Air
The glass box is virtually attached to the building’s façade and is designed so that skating is possible on multiple levels. This three-dimensionality is intended to give skaters the feeling of floating above the city. The vertical character of the skatepark makes the project a comprehensive sporting experience that is unique within the city. The enormous glass front further enhances the urban atmosphere: not only do the ramps echo the metropolis, but the view also directly integrates the skyline into the overall concept. Skating fun can also be enjoyed outdoors — thanks to the terrace located on top of the glass box.
While the indoor park is weather-independent, the outdoor area features a circular track and an additional dome for fast skating sections. There are also areas designed for BMX and scooter riders. Above all, however, Moreprk Skyline is intended to become the perfect interface between sport, urban space, and the public. Thanks to the glass box, passersby can observe the lively activity inside the skatepark directly from the street. Moreover, the park is freely accessible and designed as a meeting point for athletes and curious spectators alike — always with the city and its skyline in the background.
Architecture with a Storyline
In addition to Moreprk Skyline, AAN Architects have realized several other projects, particularly in the field of interior architecture. The studio’s full name says it all: Architecture As Narration — architecture as storytelling — as the office places great emphasis on the narratives behind its works.
Whether the skatepark successfully tells the story of the city, its skyline, and its athletes lies in the eye of the beholder. What is certain, however, is that the project has been included on the longlist of the Dezeen Awards 2025 and the shortlist of the World Architecture Festival 2025.
Text: Katarina Andraschko
Images: Lv Xiaobin
