Concordia Reimagines the Future of Arts & Activities

By That's Shanghai, September 11, 2025

Concordia International School Shanghai recently commemorated the launch of a bold redevelopment of its Rittmann Fine Arts Center, which has been a cornerstone of campus life and community engagement for nearly two decades.

The project represents the school’s investment in the future of education, combining world-class design with Concordia’s enduring mission to nurture students’ intellectual, creative, and personal growth.

The redevelopment was inaugurated at a ceremony on September 9 and was attended by school leaders, community members, and distinguished members of Shanghai’s local government, among them Zhang Difang, Deputy District Mayor of Pudong New Area; Zhou Aiqing, Deputy Director of the Jinqiao Administration Bureau of SHFTZ; Li Jialu, Level One Principal Member, Office of International Exchange, Shanghai Municipal Education Commission; and Lv Cuihong, Director of the Center of International Exchange, Pudong New Area Education Bureau.

Their presence highlighted the project’s importance to both Shanghai’s international education landscape and the broader Pudong community.

The event was kicked off by two student emcees, who wowed the audience with their poise and Mandarin language skills.

Guests were also treated to beautiful performances by the High School Strings Orchestra and Choir, which added a special touch to the celebration.

A symbolic Legacy Ceremony served as a bridge between the past and the future. Tiles, signed by students, parents, and school staff, from the walls of the original Rittmann Center, along with soil from the groundbreaking, were placed into a memory box to ensure that the spirit of the original building continues to live on.

The event culminated in a countdown to the official Launch Moment, which was marked by the illumination of a custom lighting feature.

Afterward, guests were invited to explore a curated exhibition to reflect on the Rittmann Center’s 18-year history and the vision for its future.

A Transformative Investment in Students

With an investment of 275 million RMB, the reimagined Rittmann Center will span 13,710 square meters, five times the size of the current facility.

Designed by renowned New York-based Ennead Architects, the facility will feature a professional-grade theater with seating for more than 500; an eight-lane, 25-meter competition pool; purpose-built music and drama spaces; and expansive art studios.

Together, these spaces will form a dynamic hub for learning, performance, and community connection.

“The redevelopment of the Rittmann Center is not just about a building, but about reimagining what a center for the arts and activities can be in the 21st century,” said Dr. Eric Semler, Head of School at Concordia Shanghai.

“This is more than an investment in facilities. It is an investment in our students, in their learning, and in the generations who will come after them.”

The design incorporates advanced acoustic treatments, flexible learning spaces, and energy-efficient systems, setting a new benchmark for sustainable and student-centered educational facilities in Asia. Construction is scheduled for completion in July 2027.

A Lasting Legacy

The redevelopment honors the legacy of Dr. David F. Rittmann, former Head of School (2002-2006) and visionary educational leader.

Through its state-of-the-art design and enduring purpose, the new Rittmann Center will carry forward the school’s commitment to fostering creativity, community, and opportunity for generations of Concordia students.