Design Innovation Institute Shanghai (DIIS) is a non-profit advanced research institution dedicated to creating world-leading design innovation with real-world impact.

As design assumes its place as the third pillar of innovation alongside technology and market dynamics, DIIS was founded in 2020 with the overarching objective of establishinga world-class engine for design-driven innovation transformation.

Situated in the recently restored 90-year-old heritage building formerly known as the Lester Institute of Technical Education, DIIS is nestled in the North Bund CBD area of Shanghai.

Within the DIIS framework, an array of innovative platforms has been created, including design master studios, industry joint laboratories, D.Transformer incubator, Design Universe event platform, and Frontier Design Prize, an international accolade. Collectively, they serve as magnets for international talent and a thriving business ecosystem, driving the transformative progress of diverse industries while contributing to high-quality economic development.

 

At the core of the North Bund CBD area of Hongkou District, DIIS is situated at No. 505 East Changzhi Road, previously home to the esteemed Henry Lester Institute of Technical Education, one of Shanghai's premier engineering colleges.

A historical photo of the incipient construction

Constructed in 1934 in adherence to the will of the British magnate Henry Lester, the building combines Gothic Revival and Art-Deco architectural styles. It was designated a heritage building in 1994.

The main building of the Lester school under construction

A historical photo of practice workshop

A history photo of electrical lab

In December 2021, renovation began to meticulously restore the building's original grandeur while adapting it for contemporary and forward-looking purposes. The newly renovated building is equipped with multifunctional auditorium, exhibition hall, fabrication lab, meeting rooms, as well as a series of studios, laboratories and co-creation spaces, to be operated by DIIS as infrastructural support for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Functional configuration after being repurposed and stimulated/activated

At the beginning of 2023, DIIS embarked on the full-scale utilization of this historic structure, evolving it into a globally renowned hub for design innovation.

Photo by Xu Yifan

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1934    A Century of Cultural Heritage: Continuing the Spirit of Lester Institute of Technical Education

With the architecture combining elements of British Gothic Revival and Art Deco styles,the Lester Institute of Technical Education was established with a donation from Henry Lester, a British philanthropist based in Shanghai in 1934.As a premier engineering institution in Shanghai at that time, the school offered courses in architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering, producing a group of invaluable professionals in its nearly ten years of operation.The institute's contributions to modern technological education, international exchange, and philanthropy remain a celebrated chapter in history.

 

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2010    Shanghai Becomes a UNESCO "City of Design"

The definition of design has evolved from arts and crafts in the agricultural age, to modernist design in the industrial age, to innovative design in the AI era. Design innovation has emerged as a driving force for industrial transformation and the advancement of new scientific and technological frontiers.

 

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2020    Design Innovation Institute Shanghai (DIIS) Established

At the 10th anniversary of Shanghai's designation as a UNESCO City of Design, DIIS was founded in cooperation with the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, the Municipal Education Commission, and the Hongkou District Government. As a non-profit advanced research institution, DIIS is dedicated to building a world-class engine for design-driven innovation and transformation.

 

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2021    "Design Universe" Launch Sparks Lester Building's Renewal 

In October 2021, the inaugural Design Universe Annual Creative Camp and North Bund International Creative Festival took place in Shanghai's North Bund. This 48-hour creative event brought together over 350 international design leaders and young talents, showcasing cutting-edge design innovation and marking the beginning of the renovation of the historic Lester building.

 

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2022    Annual Gala Unveils Innovation Landmark

At the end of 2022, the renovation of the historic Lester building neared completion. The second "Design Universe" Annual Creative Camp and North Bund International Creative Festival saw deep collaboration from over a hundred industry leaders, dozens of corporate partners, and more than 100,000 attendees, who collectively unveiled the new urban landmark with an inspiring vision for the future. Meanwhile, DIIS played a significant role in Shanghai's inaugural World Design Cities Conference, where the first Frontier Design Prize was awarded, highlighting how design can rejuvenate cities and drive the future of industries.

 

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2023.2    DIIS Commences Full Operations at Lester Building

Since the beginning of 2023, DIIS has quickly attracted innovative talent and resources, injecting research & incubation programs into the Lester building, and hosting diverse activities such as design salons, tech innovation workshops, and public exhibitions. It has also established master studios and industry joint laboratories as innovation platforms, continuously building a world-class design innovation ecosystem.

 

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2023.9    A Global Design Innovation Ecosystem Takes Shape

After a year of development, DIIS has established a robust innovation ecosystem. This includes 16 industry joint laboratories, which bring together Fortune 500 companies, publicly-listed enterprises and tech unicorns for collaborative innovation. Additionally, there are four interdisciplinary master studios led by renowned international experts. The forward-looking international non-profit award, the Frontier Design Prize, was awarded for the second year as a key part of Shanghai's World Design Cities Conference. After hosting more than 330 events in 2023, the Design Universe platform welcomed its third annual Creative Camp in the fall, witnessing the initial establishment of a new design innovation ecosystem.

 

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2024    DIIS Initiates Design-Driven Innovation Incubation

As a crucial component of the innovation transformation loop, DIIS has launched the D. Transformer Incubator, collaborating with leading international startup accelerators across multiple sectors. It focuses on cutting-edge industries such as artificial intelligence, medical devices, ESG, and smart hardware, aiming to establish interdisciplinary incubation and acceleration infrastructure at the urban core.