In Chengdu’s Dongcheng District lies the Chengdu MixC, a commercial complex spanning 300,000 square meters and encompassing a variety of retail and dining options. Despite its scale and potential, the central plaza, covering a vast 50,000 square meters, struggled to engage the public and integrate seamlessly with its commercial surroundings. Recognizing the need for a transformation, FLO Landscape Design and Zaha Hadid Architects collaborated to reimagine this urban space, culminating in the 2023 renovation of the Chengdu MixC Public Plaza.
Chengdu MixC Public Plaza Renovation Technical Information
- Architects1-6: Zaha Hadid, FLO Landscape Design
- Location: Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Topics: Public Space
- Area: 42,000 m2
- Project Year: 2022 – 2023
- Photographs: © Nancy Studio, © MixC Life-Style
The newly renovated public plaza has successfully activated hybridisation of activities and lifestyles in this landmark public realm, sparking endless imaginations for future potentials.
– FLO Landscape Designers
Chengdu MixC Public Plaza Renovation Photographs
Addressing Existing Challenges
The original plaza faced three significant issues:
- Scale: The expansive area of 50,000 square meters lacked intimacy and human scale.
- Engagement: The plaza’s design did not encourage public participation, resulting in an empty, underutilized space.
- Integration: The plaza felt disconnected from the surrounding commercial activities, creating a cold and unwelcoming atmosphere.
Design Concept: The Impressionist Sea
Drawing inspiration from Zaha Hadid’s initial concept of “Impressionism,” the design evolved into “The Impressionist Sea,” a theme that infuses the space with the leisure and fluidity reminiscent of the sea. This theme guided the transformation, creating a cohesive, experiential environment where visitors can meander through the plaza, enchanted by its intricate details and dynamic spaces.
Enhancing the Public Experience
The renovation focused on creating a versatile, human-scaled public realm with diverse experiences:
- Multilayered Functions: The central plaza now features a range of activities and spaces that cater to different public and commercial uses.
- Curvilinear Morphology: Zaha Hadid’s signature curves integrate the vast space into a flowing, cohesive realm, further enhanced by active place-making strategies from FLO Landscape Design.
Defining Spaces for Hybrid Events
To address the oversized nature of the original plaza, the design strategically subdivided the area into “three themed plazas” and “three character streets,” each with distinct experiential qualities:
- Tide Plaza: The central hub, characterized by dynamic blue waves in the paving, hosts a variety of public events, from celebrations to stage shows.
- Wave Garden: A sloped leisure lawn offering space for casual gatherings, picnics, and camping, with additional areas for brand presentations and photo opportunities.
- Water Garden: Inspired by white reefs, this interactive space combines water features and outdoor dining, transforming a previously redundant corner into a vibrant hotspot.
Creating Character Streets
The design introduced three character streets, each contributing to the plaza’s animated atmosphere:
- Garden Alley: A friendly, intimate space with outdoor dining along the food and beverage frontage, encouraging social interactions amidst garden greenery.
- High Street: A lively retail frontage with pop-up stores and brand displays, adding an element of surprise to the shopping experience.
Materialization and Details
Attention to detail was paramount in the renovation:
- Planting System: A diverse planting strategy enhances the plaza’s visual and textural richness.
- Pavage System: Custom-made hexagonal pavers in gradient blues mimic ocean waves, creating a visually soothing environment.
- Water Feature System: Collaborating with Shanghai Yize, the design includes interactive water elements, from jump springs to gravity falls, enhancing the plaza’s playfulness.
- Lighting System: Dynamic lighting designed with HDA transforms the plaza into a magical wonderland at night, enhancing the overall ambiance.
Behind-the-Scenes Craftsmanship
The meticulous attention to detail extends to invisible elements, ensuring the integrity and aesthetic continuity of the design:
- Drainage and Manhole Covers: Custom designs conceal these functional elements, maintaining the seamless appearance of the paving.
- Planting Beds: Carefully crafted edges achieve both aesthetic and functional goals.
Chengdu MixC Public Plaza Renovation Plans
Chengdu MixC Public Plaza Renovation Image Gallery
About Zaha Hadid
Zaha Hadid was a pioneering Iraqi-British architect known for her revolutionary contributions to contemporary architecture. Born in Baghdad in 1950, she became the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004. Hadid’s distinctive, futuristic designs are characterized by their bold, fluid forms and innovative use of materials and space. Her notable works include the Guangzhou Opera House in China, the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics, and the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan. Zaha Hadid’s visionary approach and groundbreaking projects have left an indelible mark on the world of architecture.
About FLO Landscape Design
FLO Landscape Design is an innovative landscape architecture firm founded in London in 2014 and established in Shanghai since 2016. Known for their creative and outside-the-box approach, FLO integrates global experience with precise project actualization. The firm’s name symbolizes the endless vitality and flowing nature of landscapes, reflecting their commitment to redefining spatial narratives in urban public realms, commercial spaces, residential areas, and hotels. FLO’s partners bring rich international and domestic expertise, having collaborated with renowned landscape masters like Gustafson Porter and Martha Schwartz. Their projects emphasize originality, simplicity, and energy, creating engaging and vibrant environments.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Architecture and Landscape Concept Design: Zaha Hadid Architects
- Landscape Concept and Detail Design: FLO Landscape Design (Shanghai) Co. Limited
- Team: Kai Fu, Jian Tao, Jianhao Sun, Yifan Zhang, Qingxin Zheng, Jinhai Song, Yuwen Wang, Li Wan, Kun Liu, Luhui Xiong, Yanyan Shi, Quhan Cheng, Bingyi Wang, Jingjing Deng, Jing Sun
- Construction Drawing: CELEC
- Team: Xiaomu Yu, Wei Xie, Han Liu, Dan Ou, Xiaolan Yin, Wanting Li, Kelan Yang, Quanzhou Yan, Xin Shen, Chunxiao Zhou, Qian Wang
- Partners: Shanghai Yize Electromechanical Design, HDA Lighting
