10 Design presented their design of the CIFI Kunming Plaza, an innovative mixed-use outdoor retail destination in Kunming, China. The creation of an outdoor retail street that winds across the site between the shopping malls and the towers, simulating a green valley, is a driving factor of the design. Take a look at the complete story after the jump.
From the architects: CIFI Kunming Plaza is a retail mixed use destination in Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan in China. The design for this 280,000sqm development is rooted in the city’s natural terraced landscape and its year-round spring-like weather, aiming to provide ample outdoor spaces with an open retail street.
The project is located at the north of the old city centre in an up-and-coming neighbourhood. The scheme comprises of two interconnected malls, a retail street, and three serviced apartment towers that seek to embrace the vibrancy of Kunming and provide seamless connectivity with the nearby transport hubs.
Design Partners, Chin Yong Ng and Lukasz Wawrzenczyk, commented: “The key driver of the design is the creation of an outdoor retail street that simulates a green valley, winding across the site between the shopping malls and the towers. This green valley is symbolic of the terraced landscape of Kunming, designed to create a dynamic retail experience by seamlessly integrating the indoor space of the malls and towers with the outdoor retail street.”
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This harmony of integration is achieved by incorporating a variety of external features into the design, blurring the distinction between interior and exterior. From external dining terraces to leafy balconies, open plazas, and a walkable rooftop, this new destination creates unique experiences by generating exceptional outdoor spaces that visitors can enjoy during the year-round temperate climate.
The overall design is inspired by autochthonous elements translated in a contemporary way. The silver aluminum façade of the shopping malls evokes the idea of Chinese silk wrapped around the jewel-like golden mesh window boxes that serve as key entrance points. The retail street resembles the local weaving crafts mixed with green terraced slopes and pocket gardens that mimic the rural Kunming landscape.
The three high-rise towers accommodate 1500 serviced apartments, whilst the two low-rise buildings host the shopping malls across 100,000sqm of retail, leisure and food & beverage spaces. The entertainment facilities are located at the top floors of the malls to enhance footfall circulation, including a cinema, a gym and a clubhouse with an indoor swimming pool.
CIFI Kunming Plaza brings local elements from the vibrant region of Yunnan into a contemporary development that creates a destination for the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Kunming.
CLIENT: CIFI Group
TYPE: Mixed-Use, Shopping Mall, Retail Street, Serviced Apartment
SITE AREA: 49,587sqm
GFA: 283,828sqm
SERVICE: Architecture
STATUS: Winner of International Design Competition
Find more projects by 10 design: www.10design.co
