Men, city and nature function as an organic entity, in which urbanization represents the coproduct of human wisdom and the rules of nature. The fundamental mission of architectural design is to rationalize the relationship between human action and the nature. Chinese painter Zhang Wan from the Tang dynasty said, "look outside to learn the pattern of nature, seek inside for the pattern of the heart". This inspires the idea that cities could be shaped in "methods learnt from nature, and ideas created by men". In correspondence, the design takes the concept of "softness when met with water, toughness when encountered by roads". Using both language, the design aims to characterize architectural design with the strategy of being tough on the outside and soft on the inside when dealing with the external natural environment and its internal artificial space.

The site is located in Chongming Island, Shanghai, boarding Yinghu Road on the east, Fuchuang River on the west, Fuchuang Road on the south, and Cenghai Road on the north. The site, with a regular shape, sits in an advantaged location. The project will become a high-standard comprehensive business incubator with strong service supports. The elevation of the building along the road echoes the urban design of the neighborhood with a strong sense of order and rigidness. On the contrary, the inner courtyard of the building shapes a vibrant, dynamic semi-public urban space with soft curves, signifying the vitality and diversity of the incubator. Waterscape is introduced on one side of the plot as a catalyst to animate the inner space.