△ Aerial view
With the rise of the Internet and rapid technological advancements, our social and shopping habits have dramatically transformed over the past two decades. Commercial spaces have evolved from purely offline shopping destinations to multifunctional environments that combine shopping, experiences, and social gatherings. Moreover, the increased need for social distancing in the post-pandemic era demands more from urban public spaces.
So, what direction should future commercial design take? Aedas, in collaboration with ASPECT and BPI, breaks away from traditional models to introduce an innovative concept — a 2.4-kilometer-long commercial superline aerial park that bridges the ground and sky.
This “park commerce” approach isn’t just about merging parks with retail. It’s about an organic integration that uses parks to offer open, leisurely shopping experiences. By infusing parks with diverse social elements, it aims to seamlessly connect people, cities, the environment, and industries. “This concept aligns perfectly with the owner’s vision of creating a 24-hour social hub that functions like an urban living room — highly open and trendsetting, becoming a new city landmark,” explains Dr. Andy Wen, Global Design Director at Aedas.
△ Combining city living room functions with a highly open design
1. Revitalizing the City’s 2.4-Kilometer Urban Landscape Corridor
This aerial corridor is more than just a transit route or garden. It organically connects multiple city blocks, awakening overlooked corners and fostering a fresh dialogue between people and the urban environment from a new vantage point.
Outdoor Garden
△ Overview of plots 1-2
Located along Chengdu’s north central urban development axis, the Super Line Park stretches across 12 plots, linked by multiple aerial bridges creating a continuous 2.4-kilometer urban corridor. Walking along the open-air garden on the third floor, visitors are treated to changing cityscapes at every turn. This design encourages detachment from daily routines, heightened awareness of surroundings, and a natural interaction between people and the city.
The corridor features over 80 escalators and numerous staircases, ensuring seamless connections between different plots and street levels. This design maximizes accessibility and breathes new life into the entire block.
△ Ensuring ultimate accessibility between ground level and each floor
Creating a natural dialogue between people and the city
2. A Non-Stop Urban Stage
Traditional commercial streets typically close by 10 PM, but Chengdu is a city that never sleeps. The goal here is to create a vibrant 24-hour open space with diverse functions that attract residents and foster a lively, continuous urban atmosphere.
Rich amenities attract residents
Activating neighborhood vitality
The building complex includes commercial spaces, apartments, and co-creation areas designed to meet everyday needs. Along the corridor, 24-hour multifunctional hubs like skateboard parks, graffiti zones, and interactive art installations invite people of all ages to engage according to their interests, enriching the public green corridor experience.
A standout feature is the open-air theater, fully accessible to the city. Positioned facing the main entrance of Chuanyin Campus, the theater offers unobstructed views from the stage to the audience. Visitors climbing the sloped entrance can view the entire stage, allowing pedestrians, vehicles, and campus community members to interact openly and dynamically.
△ Open-air theater facing the main entrance of Chuanyin Campus
3. Architecture as a Living Dialogue
Exceptional architecture does more than facilitate interaction between people and the city — it becomes an integral part of this ongoing conversation, connecting humanity, the built environment, and urban life.
Situated next to Sichuan Conservatory of Music’s Xindu Campus to the north, with residential and school areas nearby, the design team embraced the themes of “syllable, rhythm, and rhyme.” They used six distinct architectural forms and facade lines to create a flowing layout inspired by music. This approach allows the buildings to blend seamlessly into the surrounding context, producing continuous movement through overlapping and evolving themes.
△ Design concept inspired by musical elements
The movement extends beyond facade changes and structural adjustments — it invites public participation. Facing plots 5-8 of the Chuanyin Community, rhythmic facade curves are linked by vertical metal components resembling musical strings. When touched by wind or human interaction, these elements produce crisp sounds, creating a “Wind Chime Concerto.” This fosters an organic, harmonious interaction among people, architecture, and nature.
Reflecting on the future of shopping centers, social interaction is increasingly shifting from physical to online emotional connections. Yet, the desire for social engagement remains strong. This project aims to cultivate a comfortable, safe social environment with open spaces that respect distancing, diverse formats and entertainment options, and a focus on interaction. Ultimately, it makes the interplay between people, buildings, and cities the driving force and vitality of the entire development.
△ Aerial dynamic view
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