BIM Architecture Unveils Changsha Merchants Meixi Lake Garden City Plan Featuring 24-Hour Forest Life Children's Walk and Tech-Driven Ecological Aerobic Mall

Introduction

At the end of 2021, during a new national strategic procurement evaluation for commercial complex architectural designs launched by China Merchants Shekou, Sanyi successfully secured the bid with their concept for the “Changsha Merchants Meixi Lake Garden City” project. Construction is now fully underway, progressing into the building phase. We had the opportunity to interview the project’s creative team to explore their design philosophy and creative process.

In the upcoming posts, we will guide you through a deeper understanding of the design details and stories behind both the commercial complex and the super high-rise tower projects.

Changsha is a city that blends vibrancy, fashion, and rich cultural heritage. Nestled on the west bank of the Xiangjiang River at the base of Yuelu Mountain, Meixi Lake International New City has naturally emerged. With the city’s westward expansion, its beautiful landscapes, excellent transportation, and talent convergence, Meixi Lake International New City has evolved from a Changsha sub-center into a national hub for science and technology innovation and a new ecological leisure hotspot.

The Meixi Lake “Super Axis” stretches about 3.3 kilometers long and 80 meters wide, running from the city island in the east to Leigao Road in the west. It passes through the entire Meixi Lake International New City, linking many key nodes and central business district plots. As the CBD and international business center of the area, its prime location is undeniable.

△ Rendering of Meixi Lake International New Town
Source: Official account of Meixi Lake International New Town

This time, Sanyi collaborated with China Merchants Shekou to design a vibrant, ecological aerobic mall at the core of Meixi Lake International New City. Located at the junction of Phases 1 and 2, on the south side of Meixi Lake’s “Super Axis,” the project spans two plots totaling around 37,000 square meters. Metro Lines 2 and 6 intersect the Super Axis at the northwest corner. To the south, the site borders Elephant Trunk Nest Forest Park, offering excellent location benefits and abundant natural scenery.

△ Project Location

Serving as the gateway to Meixi Lake’s super axis, the project is envisioned as a “24-hour Forest Life Children’s Tour” ecological aerobic mall. Its design embraces the concept of “outward technology and inward ecology,” employing multi-dimensional and dynamic spaces that blend technology with nature. Inspired by the idea of an oasis city surrounded by mountains and water and a lively night economy, this project aims to become Changsha’s new landmark for a 24-hour, one-stop living experience, showcasing vibrant day and night scenes with diverse commercial formats. Curious about the specific design details? Let’s explore with the architects!

01 Overcoming Commercial Cross-Plot Challenges Under Land Constraints

#1 + 1 > 2: Commercial synergy drives the siphon effect#

Q:
We understand the overall project is a 100,000 square meter commercial complex, but it actually spans two separate 50,000 square meter plots—a rare approach. Why was the commercial area designed across two plots?

A:
The project site consists of two plots separated by Qingmei Road, a lower-grade urban street. Given the significant siphon effect a large commercial complex exerts on its surroundings, and because this project is positioned as an urban-level commercial complex, splitting the plots into separate constructions would not meet the demand. Therefore, within limited land constraints, we innovated the design to create a large urban complex spanning both plots.

△ Conceptual Rendering

#Embracing the Central Axis to Draw Crowds#

Q:
After deciding on the cross-plot commercial layout, where did you begin designing the building?

A:
The design focuses on optimizing the central axis flow. Considering the scale of the atrium, corridors, shops, and the tower core’s impact on commercial depth, it was appropriate to treat the podiums of the two blocks as a unified single-lane commercial model. The Meixi Lake Super Axis to the north is a comprehensive urban support project integrating pedestrian corridors, underground parking, commercial areas, transit tracks, sunken plazas, and green spaces. This makes the north side the future main pedestrian entrance. Accordingly, the design connects the commercial areas along the south side at the far end, forming a U-shaped circulation framework.

△ Concept Generation Diagram

To align with pedestrian flow and landscape features, the design tilts the north entrance inward, creating a wrapped architectural form that embraces the central axis, fostering foot traffic aggregation. Simultaneously, commercial connection on the south side forms a complete urban interface along Wutong Road Expressway, delivering a cohesive and visually striking urban display.

Building form embracing the central axis on the north side

△ Unified urban display interface on the south side

Within planning restrictions, two super high-rise towers were positioned considering landscape views, iconic presence, and independence. The towers were placed in the northeast and northwest corners, respectively, to create a gateway effect and outline a complete skyline.

△ City Gateway

#Immersive Experience with Iconic Scenes Linking Commercial Routes#

Q:
You mentioned the commercial connection on the south side. How is the linkage between the two plots specifically implemented?

A:
The commercial linkage strategy uses a “strong connection on the south side and a weak connection on the north side.” Both blocks open towards the central ecological core, forming a circular connected garden terrace on the second floor. On the north, the connection is limited to the second-floor platform, the “Time Tunnel” in the high zone, and a fast shuttle corridor.

Design strategy: strong southern connection + weak northern connection

△ Second-floor circular connected garden terrace

The “Time Tunnel” and corridor employ a truss structure, seamlessly connecting with the main buildings in a smooth form. The second-floor platform steps back, creating a three-level elevated space that emphasizes an “anti-gravity” effect. Inside the “Time Tunnel,” themed “Crossing the Milky Way,” the column-free tunnel integrates sound, light, and electrical technologies, providing a dynamic experience as visitors move between plots almost imperceptibly, achieving smooth commercial linkage.

The corridor uses a truss structure to create a three-level elevated space

To the south, a distinctive border courtyard called the “Sky Tree” creates a strong connection. The facade features transparent floor-to-ceiling glass, while the interior tree-like design simulates a green aerobic jungle valley. This supports playful platforms and cascading roof elements with partial voids, combined with various resting spaces, generating rich multi-directional points and strengthening commercial linkage between the two plots.

Strong southern connection with the distinctive “Sky Tree” courtyard

A New Landmark for Seamless One-Stop Living Experience with TOD Integration

#Dual Rail Intersection + Super Axis: Zero-Distance Connection to the City#

Q:
As the first TOD commercial complex on Meixi Lake’s axis, how did the project address traffic organization and connectivity?

A:
The project’s north side borders the Meixi Lake axis and underground commercial area; the northwest corner houses Metro Lines 2 and 6 stations, with residential areas to the east. The design aims to seamlessly connect external traffic, future planning, and internal circulation. On the west side of the A30 plot’s basement level, a 12-meter passage connects directly to two subway lines via escalators. Additionally, a passage on the north side links to the underground commercial area along the central axis, enabling rapid flow from rail transit and the super central axis into the mall.

External traffic organization and connections

Two streams of passenger flow converge in the atrium, allowing direct access either to the upper commercial zone or to the northern central axis commercial area. It also connects directly to the A27 plot to the east, providing access to a supermarket. Two passages in the northeast corner of plot A27 connect to underground garages of the central axis and residential areas, respectively. Vertical transportation points for the two super high-rise towers are also included at the basement level, enabling residents and visitors to move seamlessly via subway without exposure to weather. This creates a comprehensive, well-integrated transportation system connected in all directions.

△ Traffic flow analysis

#Day and Night in Changsha: Creating a 24-Hour One-Stop Experiential Business#

Q:
How does the design attract and accommodate the customer flow generated by TOD?

A:
Positioned as the gateway to the Meixi Lake super axis, the project is a “24-hour Forest Life Children’s Tour” technology-ecological aerobic mall. It explores Changsha’s cultural history and urban spirit through vibrant day and night scenes. Inspired by an oasis city surrounded by mountains and rivers with an active night economy, it features diverse commercial formats and shared spaces such as food streets, children’s playgrounds, giant screen cinemas, and central landscape courtyards—offering a shopping experience that blends leisure, entertainment, and immersion.

Exploring Changsha’s Cultural History and Urban Spirit

03 Ecological Aerobic Mall Under the Aesthetics of Technology

#Creating an Urban Oasis Form that Integrates Seamlessly with City Space#

Q:
The project is branded as a technology-ecological aerobic mall. How is the “ecological aerobic” concept realized?

A:
The design centers on “outward technology, inward ecology,” fostering dialogue with urban public spaces and leveraging landscape resources. This approach creates multi-dimensional, dynamic, and experiential spaces themed around ecology.

△ Ecological Core Generation Diagram

At the heart is Meixi Valley: a rooftop garden featuring stacked terraces and interactive spaces at varying heights, simulating a green, aerobic valley jungle that forms an “inward nature” ecological core. The second floor’s circular connected garden terrace provides ample activity space aligned with the central axis. The third and fourth floors include partially curved terraces, making Meixi Valley more dynamic and serving as outdoor shop spaces, enriching the commercial atmosphere. The three-level elevated space beneath the north side’s Time Tunnel creates a breathable urban oasis, enabling spatial dialogue between Meixi Valley and the super axis.

Ecological Core: “Meixi Valley”

On the south side, Meixi Valley’s layered spatial form and greenery penetrating the indoor space through glass curtain walls create a four-season courtyard called the “Sky Tree.” The umbrella-shaped tree design features rich textures and staggered heights, rising from outdoors to indoors to establish a unique spatial hierarchy. The ceiling’s floating ribbon pattern resembles tree rings, with flexible forms and a circular suspended green plant viewing platform. Combined with a sunken leisure plaza and interactive atrium screen performances, it forms a distinctive landmark. Through the tall indoor glass, views of Elephant Trunk Nest Forest Park to the south create a seamless interaction between the blocks and the urban landscape, inviting visitors to gather, linger, and rest.

Mushroom-shaped columns rise from the outdoor base into the indoor area

#Technological Facade: Naked-Eye 3D Ignites Urban Trendy Lifestyle#

Q:
How is the “outward technology” aspect expressed?

A:
The “outward technology” is mainly reflected in the facade design. The shopping center’s facade embraces the concept “Technology Territory · Green Wing.” The street-facing facade features silver aluminum panels arranged in divergent lines evoking a technological feel, crafting a relaxed, futuristic exterior. In the inner courtyard, the glass box of the signature “Sky Tree” space acts as the core, supporting layers of greenery with a light, airy form, embodying the “Green Wing” concept.

△ Divergent lines convey a sense of technology

The north facade’s silver aluminum panels create a technological divergent line motif, complementing the building form that wraps the central axis. The time corridor connects fluidly to the main building, featuring undulating, harmonious design with distinct horizontal lines that emphasize the hierarchy. The southern facade highlights block unity with interwoven forms. The central sky tree is a fully glass structure, flanked by white aluminum panels as background. Grey protruding blocks at varying elevations insert into the white facade, with the east side’s grey blocks treated as glass and advertising spaces to enhance commercial identity. This flexible form creates an iconic urban image with balanced proportions and dynamic rhythm.

△ North Facade

△ South Facade

The two super high-rise towers’ facades emphasize the city’s image and functional service needs, integrating with the commercial complex through a unified design language. Featuring a modern minimalist style, the towers present a tall, elegant silhouette. Vertical lines accentuate upward momentum and strength, reinforcing the buildings’ towering presence. Vertical grooves run continuously, and the tower crowns are subtly curved to convey grace and vitality.

A tall, elegant architectural presence

At the northwest corner, where Meixi Lake’s central green axis intersects with Metro Lines 2 and 6 stations, the project’s main pedestrian flow is anticipated. To emphasize this, a three-story projecting block marks the main entrance facade, crowned by a large naked-eye 3D screen. This immersive, oversized display covers nearly the entire corner, delivering a striking visual experience without the need for 3D glasses. The screen’s vivid, interactive scenes will attract and guide visitors, destined to become a new trendy urban landmark.

△ Large naked-eye 3D screen

△ Emphasizing the main entrance with prominent volume

Since becoming a strategic partner in China Merchants Shekou’s commercial real estate sector in 2018, Sanyi has collaborated on a series of distinctive and outstanding projects, achieving remarkable growth. With the Meixi Lake project, Sanyi has once again showcased its excellent design and service capabilities, embarking on a new journey with China Merchants Shekou. As the first large-scale TOD commercial complex on Meixi Lake Phase II’s axis, the launch of the Changsha Meixi Lake Investment Garden City project marks the official start of Meixi Lake’s “super axis” era. Meixi Lake International New City transitions officially from a lakeside era to an axis era, promising a new wave of commercial ambition for the city. Stay tuned!

Project Information

Project Name: Changsha Merchants Meixi Lake Garden City

Project Type: Urban Complex

Project Location: Meixihu International New City Phase II, Yuelu District, Changsha City

Site Area: 37,706.4 square meters

Building Area: 335,842.7 square meters

Design Period: September 2021 – Present

Construction Status: Under construction

Developers: Changsha Xishang Real Estate Development Co., Ltd; Changsha Zhaoyang Real Estate Co., Ltd

Architectural Design: Shanghai Sanyi Architectural Design Co., Ltd

Lead Architects (Commercial): Lu Xiaogang, Zhang Weiwei, Yu Xiaoxiao, Yu Kun

Project Manager (Business): Zhang Weiwei

Design Team (Commercial): Li Yangyang, Pan Mengyuan, Rui Qihua, Zhang He, Wang Shuo, Li Weisi, Wang Ying, Guo Jingyu, Yao Jiaqiang, Ni Yijiao, Liu Tao, Hu Zheyu, Xiang Wenwei, Chen Junting

Technical Support: Wang Xiaohong, Zhao Bin, Zhu Miaomiao

Collaborators:

Deepening Design: Shenzhen Huayang International Engineering Design Co., Ltd

Landscape Design: Shenzhen Dijia Hope Urban Landscape Design Co., Ltd

Interior Design: Shenzhen Jieen Creative Design Co., Ltd

Steel Structure Design: Shenzhen Huasheng Architectural Design Co., Ltd

Mechanical and Electrical Consultant: Kejin Baicheng Engineering Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Shanghai Branch

Curtain Wall Consultant: Foster Building Technology Co., Ltd

Lighting Design: Huan Gu Zhi Dao (Beijing) Lighting Technology Co., Ltd

Transportation Consultant: Hongda Transportation Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd

BIM Design: China Machinery International Engineering Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd

Construction Contractor: China Construction Second Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd

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