Shanghai Engineers Use 432 Robots to Relocate Historic Building
Shanghai is no stranger to jaw-dropping feats of engineering. In the latest example, a Shanghai historic building moved by robots is capturing global attention. The relocation of the complex in Huayang, a Shikumen-style building weighing about 7,500 metric tons (approximately 8,267 U.S. tons) and covering roughly 43,400 square feet, is truly rewriting the rules.
This ambitious project is powered by an army of 432 small robots that are moving the massive structure about 33 feet each day to make way for a new underground development. Let’s dive into how this is happening, why it matters, and what it means for the future of urban preservation.
The Huayanli complex is a set of three brick-and-wood buildings constructed between the 1920s and 1930s. Located in the heart of Shanghai’s historic Zhangyuan area, these structures are classic examples of shikumen architecture, which is a unique blend of Western and Chinese design. Zhangyuan itself is over 140 years old and is one of Shanghai’s largest and best-preserved shikumen neighborhoods.
The relocation is not just for show. The city is building a three-story underground center beneath the complex that will include over 570,000 square feet of cultural and commercial space, a parking garage with more than 100 spots and a transportation hub that will connect three major subway lines. By preserving the historic Huayanli complex above ground while adding modern infrastructure below, Shanghai is finding a smart balance between honoring its heritage and embracing progress.
Moving a building of this size is tough enough, but the challenge is multiplied by Zhangyuan’s dense web of narrow alleys and closely packed historic buildings. Traditional relocation methods simply would not fit. The area’s historic significance also means that any mistake could damage irreplaceable architecture, including the 1928