Image Credit : MUDA-Architects
Project Overview
Qingfeng Commercial Plaza envisioned as an experiential commercial hub, occupies a prestigious position within Chengdu's core location. The site bridges the financial and business precinct at the north and the economics intelligence valley at the south. It stands as the region's sole commercial compound integrated atop a subway station, earning its reputation as a flagship development within Chengdu, with every development phase under keen observation of the public.
MUDA-Architects' approach transcends traditional paradigms of retail space design, aiming instead to cultivate a commercial art space that prioritizes immersive experiences and active engagement. Drawing inspiration from Gilles Deleuze's theory of the fold, MUDA-Architects employs the metaphor of wormhole spaces to articulate a continuous dialogue between change and preservation, encapsulating the essence of dynamic spatial experiences.
The Qingfeng Commercial Plaza is designed to craft a communal space that nurtures the legacy of collective memories for the inhabitants of Chengdu, delivering an anthropological experience steeped in the everyday life and vibrancy of the community. It aggregates a versatile mix of culinary, entertainment, service, and trendy experiences, encapsulating the essence of Chengdu's stories that linger in flavor and recollection.
The design strategy enhances the interior realm with a sophisticated lighting approach that seamlessly integrates natural and artificial illumination to accentuate the interplay of light and shadow. The incorporation of malleable wormhole spaces crafts an ambiance of mystique and exploration, a crucible of inspiration and creativity, redefining the parameters of commercial and cultural spaces within the urban context.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Lu Yun, Li Aidong, Li Hao, He Fan, Rong Dian, Wang Shuo, Fu Yao, Wang Hao, Liu Tianyi
Project Brief
Situated at the pivotal confluence of two principal subway lines within the historic urban fabric of Chengdu, Qingfeng Commercial Plaza emerges as a quintessential node of communal convergence for the inhabitants of the entire city. This plaza, steeped in the collective memories and the quintessentially leisurely ethos of Chengdu's societal milieu, acts as a vital communal space that embodies the collective lived experience of its residents.
As the leading example of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) initiatives within the city, MUDA-Architects has been entrusted with the comprehensive redesign of the plaza's primary and secondary underground levels, both of which offer direct interfacing with the subway's entrances. This commission mandates a departure from the traditional paradigms of retail architecture, propelling the creation of a deeply experiential and participatory commercial art space.
MUDA-Architects' design philosophy is deeply influenced by Gilles Deleuze's theory of the fold, emphasizing perpetual transformation and the continuous interplay between change and preservation. This concept is expressed through the use of wormhole spaces as a metaphor, highlighting the dynamic nature of spatial experiences. The firm's design approach is further enhanced by a sophisticated lighting scheme that blends natural and artificial light, enhancing the dynamics of light and shadow. This, combined with the flexibility of wormhole spaces, creates an atmosphere filled with mystery and the potential for discovery, while blurring the boundaries of traditional commercial and cultural spaces within an urban setting. Beyond traditional residential commerce and commercial blocks, the space functions as a fundamental connective tissue amongst individuals.
Project Innovation/Need
Deleuze's theory of the fold symbolizes infinite flux and recursion, continuously varying, preserving, and perpetuating itself. MUDA intends to employ architecture to convey the complicated nature of such movement. It reminds us to think of wormholes with intriguing temporal and space features. In theory, a wormhole is a space tunnel that connects two distant moments and places. It's like a maelstrom in the sea: widespread but transient. Wormholes also embedded with temporal features that connect the past and present. Geometrically, a wormhole is a space-time area that restricts incremental deformation of a closed surface.
MUDA interprets the concept of wormhole spaces as a spatial translation of the fold theory. At the core sunken plaza, a wormhole space characterized by its high plasticity is used to create a mysterious otherworldly sensation, offering a spatial experience rich in distinctive features. Moving away from the monotony of traditional commercial ecosystems and the rigid, dull architectural forms, the intriguing spatial configurations of wormholes—twisting, folding, and looping—integrate multiple business models and life inspirations. To maximize the experience, we considered sealing the ground floor so that the internal walls could avoid problems such as waterproofing. The organically shaped walls use wood board as the base layer, coated with white interior texture paint to unify most of the color and texture while providing a clean backdrop for future art displays. Meanwhile, with the interplay of natural and artificial lighting, the space blends in with varied commercial experiences of the surroundings.
Design Challenge
A critical design objective for this project was to harness the project's central location to amalgamate multiple streams of pedestrian flow from various directions, thereby maximizing the commercial vitality of the space. The solution was conceptualized from the holistic design principle of wormhole spaces, employing organic transitional areas to connect the central plaza with surrounding commercial entities. This approach skillfully blends diverse commercial atmospheres, including transit stations, anchor stores, and hotels, creating a space of striking and interesting contrasts.
Further enhancing this strategy, the design incorporates multiple skylights on the ground level to introduce natural light into the subterranean levels. The vibrancy of underground commercial spaces often faces challenges due to the lack of natural lighting, a characteristic intrinsic to subterranean environments. This absence can deter prolonged human occupancy, as individuals generally prefer spaces where they can perceive the passage of time and view the sky. The placement of skylights—from ceiling to wall and column treatments—harmoniously integrates with the overarching concept of wormhole spaces, facilitating a vibrant and lively spatial connection. This methodology engenders a commercial art space characterized by rich, natural spatial layering, elevating the user experience and ensuring the commercial and aesthetic success of the project.
Sustainability
The underground project naturally provides shelter from wind and rain, eliminating the need for building materials to be weather-resistant and waterproof. Consequently, the cost of construction materials for the space is significantly reduced, avoiding the excessive use of waterproofing materials and greatly diminishing the carbon footprint associated with space renovation and construction.
Skylights in the roof and the entrance canopy bring natural light into the underground space during the day, while the pure white ceilings and walls further enhance the diffuse reflection of light, allowing soft natural light to fully enter multiple spaces from different areas. The use of infinitely adjustable artificial lighting, combined with an intelligent environmental monitoring system, automatically adjusts the tone and brightness of artificial light, further aiding in the illumination of indoor spaces and maximizing energy savings. In conjunction with the skylight positions, a new landscape drainage system on the ground collects and processes rainwater, recycling it for use in the irrigation of the mall complex's greenery system.
Architecture Commercial - Proposed - International
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow. The project can be a concept, tender or personal project, i.e. proposed space.
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