On May 19, 1952, East China Industry Bureau Architectural Design Company - Shanghai’s first state-owned design institute and predecessor of East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI) - was established. In the following year, Shanghai Municipal Architectural Engineering Bureau Manufacture and Technology Office established its own Design Division – as Shanghai’s first municipal designinstitute, it was the predecessor of Shanghai Institute of Architectural Design & Research (SIADR). Both were pioneers for New China’s architectural design industry based in Shanghai. With this origin, the predecessors of Xian Dai, ECADI and SIADR, commenced their forward journey in which they would engrave their footmarks all over China and the globe, making great contributions to the development of construction worldwide!
In the 1950s and 1960s, ECADI and SIADR implemented several important civil engineering projects and completed many science and defense engineering projects with the application of cutting-edge technology. In the period following the adoption of China’s Reform and Opening-Up Policy in 1978, ECADI and SIADR actively and steadily adjusted their equity structures, re-grouped and established a series of specialized corporations to promote specialization and to optimize their business chain, which reflects Xian Dai's comprehensive advantage. ECADI and SIADR created a number of firsts - several of these projects are recognized as significant in the historical development of architecture in China. Such projects encompass transportation facilities, residential buildings, hotels and resorts, large-scale office buildings, hospitals, and sports stadiums. In the early 1990s, the world-renowned international financial center in Pudong New Area of Shanghai commenced its development. ECADI and SIADR took the main responsibility for the design of tremendous projects, including the landmark of Shanghai, Oriental Pearl Tower. The creative design of ECADI and SIADR significantly influenced the city’s improved functionality.
In March 1998, with approval of the Shanghai municipal government, ECADI and SIADR merged to form Shanghai Xian Dai Architectural Design (Group) Co., Ltd (Xian Dai, 1998). Since this time, Xian Dai has developed into a group company which includes more than 15 professional subsidiary companies providing a full spectrum of services under one roof. Xian Dai has participated in the design work of a large number of significant and enduring diversified projects, including financial buildings, offices blocks, hotels and resorts, residential buildings, sports stadiums, hospitals, schools and transportation facilities, contributing to a constant beautification of Shanghai.
For the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, Xian Dai either directly lead or participated in the design of 61 major Expo pavilions, including Expo Axis, Expo Center, Expo Cultural Center, the China National Pavilion plus a series of Expo supporting facilities.
Xian Dai has traversed 60 years, striving together with the nation, constantly developing and innovating. The continued reform and innovation of Xian Dai provides a system and mechanism that guarantees the continued development of our quality and cost-efficiency. With China's sustained and rapid economic development, Xian Dai, through its abundant experience and comprehensive strength, has completed a large number of landmark projects across the country and in turn emerged as China’s leading brand in design.
