Aiming to become a unique destination full of surprise and discovery, the design proposal for the Thaihot City Plaza Mall has a multi-faceted façade that has different functions, in plan and elevation. Designed by Spark Architects, this facade moderates the edges of the building in plan to increase sight lines into the pedestrian street drawing people in, unlike linear streets that fail to hold and capture the pedestrians’ interest. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Working on the interior and façade design of Thaihot Mall in Fuzhou, the design of their undulating tenant façade mimics the ebb and flow of pedestrian traffic creating a dynamic shopping experience. Color shifting aluminium panels combined with signage and advertisements façade create an exterior appearance that is constantly changing. At night the perforated aluminum panels allow light to pass through to create a “starry night” effect.
Two complementary pedestrian routes energize the dynamic shopping experience at Thaihot Mall Fuzhou. A 12-hour day route and a 24-hour route, retail programs that operate during the day are consolidated into a 12-hour shopping podium, circulation routes and terraces are carved out of this podium facilitating access to the rooftop. The rooftop offers a variety of activities such as miniature golf and fine dining, it is accessible by the 24-hour route. This route is further animated by its adjacency to the pedestrian street.
The north facade becomes a living organism full of movement and energy, Thaihot Mall Fuzhou is set to become a distinctive reflection on the future of city lifestyle retail.
Architects: Spark Architects Location: Fuzhou, China Team: Cary Cheng, Emer Loraine, Wang Haiyan, Ben de Lange, Leo Micolta Project Director: Jan Felix Clostermann Interiors: Spark Architects Façade: Priedemann Asia Ltd. LDI: Goodbroad Industry Group (Jiaobo) Lighting: LEOX Design Partnership Structure: Chongqing Design Institute Renders: Bofan, Zhangpeng Client: Thaihot Group Work in Progress: Construction started in January 2012 Total GFA (sqm): Façade / Interior Design: 294,252 m2