Lifestyle-oriented retail development encapsulating the essence of Shenzhen Bay

Located in the heart of HouHai district in Shenzhen Bay, Lead8 have provided the architecture and interior design for the 80,000 sqm high-end retail complex MixC Shenzhen Bay which sits within a large mixed-use development.

Developed by China Resources, a leading commercial real estate developer in China, the mixed-use development is set to become the China Resources Shenzhen headquarters. 

With a total GFA of 860,000 sqm and a total investment of approximately RMB 20 billion, the project includes China Resources Shenzhen Bay Sports Center, Shenzhen Science and Technology Centre, a 80,000 sqm MixC retail mall, a 392.5 meter tall China Resources Headquarters office tower, business center, arts and cultural centre, Andaz Hotel and residences of Park View Manor. The blend of activities in the mixed-use development is first of its kind in China - creating a diverse and dynamic future destination.

The four levels of retail complex acts as an anchor of the mixed-use development and integrates local culture, open green spaces along with a wide range of leisure and entertainment facilities. The project vision is to create a contemporary lifestyle oriented retail precinct that blends urban context with art, landscape and cultural elements – to bring a model for an eco-friendly environment and offer a new urban retail experience to the wider community.

The architecture of the retail complex, a new civic heart and commercial hub, is inspired by an open box concept. Lead8 chose to invert the retail complex from the traditional ‘closed box’ to an open box, delivering a vibrant and vivid visual effect.

A collection of open boxes are fragmented into a mixture of lifestyle shops adding sunlight and greenery into the space, enriching visitors’ connection with nature whilst minimising the level of heat gain and achieving a sustainable micro environment. To ensure connectivity with the adjacent retail lots, bridge links are conceived to allow visitors a seamless exploration of the development.

Capitalising on the sweeping views of the waterfront and aesthetically pleasing landscape, part of the rooftop garden is envisaged as an urban farm to reconnect people with nature, whilst enhancing the city’s context and urban grain. An abundance of greenery landscape and floating islands inspired pavilions are designed in a continuous loop to reflect the flow of the natural environment.

The interiors of the retail complex is re-imagined as floating islands within a space. A mix of organic form floating islands and soft green landscape creates a harmonious balance of the exterior and interior. Designed with a contemporary and comfortable ambience, the airy use of materials provides an intimate, inviting environment for visitors.

The exterior facade introduces an integrated composition of retail-art-technology ranging from storefronts and features interactive media art wall and multimedia screens.