The Kunshan Phoenix Cultural Mall design by Joel Sanders Architects is a large multi complex set to house retail, office, restaurants and cultural spaces.
The design concept proposal by the architects is quite interesting as it portrays a methodological step-by-step process depicted in their presentation diagrams. Firstly, the building site is a whole block; they begin by subdividing it into quads (four-sided volumes) perhaps to house the main themes of the complex. To activate the perimeter and thus enliven it, they propose cutaways in the volume at the edges, which face street corners. Activating the interior, they cut away the centre to create a shared atrium between the 4 large quads.
Courtesy of Joel Sanders Architect
As a block, and having divided it up a kind of separation between spaces is created, however as a block and to consolidate the unity of the complex, they propose unifying upper block which sits on all 4 quads, this will house the bookstore.
Each of the quads is hollowed in at their centres to serve as mini atriums and to house various spaces. For instance the cultural quad will have a cultural mall occupying its atrium. The hollowness of the central atrium develops upward into the 20-floor tower block. The organization of the volumes portrays the diversity of the complex; the lower fluid entry ground floor, the unifying upper solid block perched on the quads with a roof garden, and the almost transparent office tower. The complex will undoubtedly be a visual icon for this part of the city.
Courtesy of Joel Sanders Architect
Project: Kunshan Phoenix Cultural Mall
Designed by Joel Sanders Architect
Associate Designer: FreelandBuck
Facade Consultant: Heintges & Associates
Location: Kunshan, China
By Hassan Mohammed Yakubu