Designing a shared city concept

Lead8 is the retail architect behind the new MixC Changchun, a high-end commercial and retail development by China Resources Land. 

The new development is seen as leading the city’s luxury commercial upgrading and was designed to strengthen the concept of a ‘shared city’ by contributing to the urban public realm as an inclusive shared space.

The vision for the design was to elevate the traditional retail, entertainment and dining concept and integrate the built environment within Changchun's urban fabric and positively contribute to the city’s urban life.

The mixed-use development is located in the heart of Changchun’s Central Business District and brings together high-end residential, commercial offices, serviced apartments, and the 170,000 sqm MixC retail centre. 

The architecture has been inspired by Changchun’s culture and influenced by the city’s temperate climate. The dynamic experiential lifestyle centre features an integrated street where leading retailers, international brands, pop-up exhibitions and dining concepts can be explored year-round. The glass façade featuring the ‘Eye of Changchun’ establishes a visual connection with the street and further solidifies the coming together of the development and the city’s urban realm. 

Seamlessly united with Changchun's mobility network, the scheme connects to the double subway lines of Metro Line 1 and Line 2 and covers five bus stations and 19 bus lines within 500 metres. 

Promoting the ‘sponge city’ concept, the development applies green technologies with solar power supply, electric cold storage, electric heat storage, and rainwater reuse systems to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.