This episode of Alicast takes you behind the scenes of Alibaba’s groundbreaking new Shanghai campus, a visionary project designed by the world-renowned architectural firm Foster + Partners. Known for iconic creations like Apple Park and the Gherkin, Foster + Partners has once again redefined workplace design, creating a space that blends transparency, innovation, sustainability, and community.The guest host is Jinglu, an architect who brings her expertise to uncover the story behind this extraordinary project. She is joined by Jeremy Kim and Yu Zheng, partners at Foster + Partners, who share their insights into the design and construction of this campus. Together, they explore how the bold vision of “See and Be Seen” inspired a design that breaks traditional office boundaries.As Jeremy Kim aptly puts it, this campus is “designed to enhance collaboration, well-being, and innovation for generations to come.” Join us as we dive into the architectural, engineering, and cultural significance of Alibaba’s new Shanghai campus—a building that’s not just a workspace, but a statement about the future of work itself.00:00 Introduction to Alibaba's New Shanghai Office02:02 Vision and Initial Requirements04:54 Design Philosophy: See and Be Seen06:49 Innovative Use of Genetic Algorithms10:27 Environmental and Sustainability Considerations15:40 Public Spaces and Biophilia24:42 Structural Challenges and Engineering Feats28:49 Client Collaboration and Trust30:44 Favorite Office Buildings 36:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Joining the conversation is Kaifu Zhang, Vice President and Head of AI Initiatives at Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group (AIDC). From empowering small merchants with AI-driven translation, marketing, and customer service tools to reimagining global trade through multimodal models and personalized products, Kaifu reveals how Alibaba’s platforms like Aliexpress, Lazada, etc, are shaping the future of e-commerce. With exciting insights into the next wave of AI innovation, this episode offers a thought-provoking glimpse into the tools making entrepreneurship more accessible and commerce more seamless. Tune in to learn how AI will influence business operations in the next decade—and why the smallest enterprises may benefit the most.
