Shopping malls are increasingly becoming community gathering places tailored to specific target groups, thereby reconfiguring public spaces as a whole. For project developer CR Land in Wuxi in eastern China, we designed a mall that is much more than a shopping experience: it is an inviting meeting place for shared activities. A blank canvas upon which to showcase a vibrant mix of people, brands, fashion and artistic expression. With 360 shops, event spaces, a cinema, a food court, a rooftop garden and a Riverside Market that extends into the outside space, the Wuxi MixC Mall offers a diverse spectrum of attractions with a high sojourn quality: transforming time spent here into cherished memories.

The interior is presented as an urban space with architectural structures and distinctive façades, while functional elements such as balconies, bridges, escalators and signage are clearly highlighted as sculptural artworks that seem to float within this urban landscape. The mall environment is accessed via three atriums of different sizes that double as exhibition spaces. The result is a network of distinctive streets, squares and plazas that inspire strong emotional bonds, encouraging people to explore and fostering vibrant urban sub-centres where people interact and enjoy spending time.

To help visitors navigate the sprawling 70,500 square-metre space, each of the three atriums that lead to the mall features a different design. They all share a neutral white architectural base, which contrasts with the bright red accent colour of the staircases and walkways spanning the space, creating memorable environments each in turn.

The dramatic escalators and bridges in the east atrium, the main entrance, draw visitors dynamically into the mall. Like in a city with narrow alleys and towering façades, the entrance expands and contracts again, revealing tantalising glimpses into the depths of the mall. The undersides of the escalators and bridges are decorated with faceted metal panels that mimic the shimmering water reflections of the nearby lakes as the light strikes them.

In addition to the spacious atriums of the Wuxi MixC Mall, a number of other public spaces have been created to promote social interaction and collective experience. One of the most notable is the Yummy food court in the basement, which offers not only a wide variety of culinary delights, but also many opportunities for personal interaction. On the upper floors, interaction and communication are at the heart of the open space concept. The two-storey Moon Garden is a dynamic event space, framed by restaurants and hosting live music, exhibitions and other appealing events on a smaller scale. The result is a gallery-like atmosphere, enhanced by dramatic spatial compositions and precise lighting design, which contrasts the white canvas with shimmering highlight installations in otherwise minimalist spaces.