In the new era of consumerism, a revolutionary shift is reshaping business models. Previously, merchants and products ruled the market; now, customer needs and preferences drive the trends. This transformation has prompted a thorough reinvention of shopping centers, introducing fresh opportunities for growth and innovation.
Huacai Haikou Bay Plaza is situated along the picturesque Haikou Bay scenic belt in Haikou City, Hainan Province. Overlooking the sea and adjacent to the Haikou Century Bridge, it offers panoramic views of the Guomao CBD. This vibrant coastal commercial district attracts those seeking a high-quality lifestyle. The design firm CRTKL, part of Arcadis, incorporated multidimensional art elements throughout the project, including the exterior facade, commercial interiors, public office spaces, and the marketing center. Their goal was to craft a unique, experiential, and themed shopping environment that revitalizes consumer energy, addresses evolving social needs, and establishes a new iconic harbor art commercial landmark.
01 Building Resonance: The Beauty of the Ocean
The exterior design of the commercial podium building at Huacai Haikou Bay Plaza evokes a captivating “sea” sensation, immersing visitors in the feeling of an endless ocean. The experience of watching the sea, hearing its waves, and feeling the breeze is artfully captured here. Inspired by yachts, the facade incorporates lightweight metal thin-wing elements that resemble gentle waves brushing against the building’s texture. The reflective metal surfaces mirror the hues of the sea and sky, shimmering like water and seamlessly blending with the coastal surroundings. Each moment feels like a conversation between nature and art.
These metal thin wings also create flexible grey spaces, extending the commercial podiums and seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor areas to form a continuous, organic spatial flow. Additionally, they provide shade and shelter, enabling visitors to enjoy a relaxed, natural leisure experience by the sea. On clear nights, when the bay meets the starry sky, each south-facing terrace features a 4.5-meter-long ‘starry sky floating board,’ highlighting the ocean’s charm.
The high, transparent, openable glass partitions act as doors to the sea, tightly connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. This design offers an immersive IMAX-like panoramic sea view that feels within reach. Semi-open layered terraces provide 360-degree vistas of the magnificent ocean scenery, blending architectural beauty with the sounds of the sea.
At the building’s highest level, ten thousand fiber optic lights intricately weave together to form a suspended artistic bridge. This aerial bridge resembles a bird in flight, wings spread wide, overlooking the endless ocean. It offers a unique experience of viewing the sea from above, as if wandering through a dreamlike blue sky.
Before entering the mall, visitors are drawn to pause and explore the mysteries of the upper floors through this aerial bridge, which has become a landmark attraction with remarkable vertical foot traffic appeal. It not only serves as an essential component of top-level circulation but also acts as a symbol that significantly boosts visitor numbers. The design team incorporated linear elements alongside expansive sea views to achieve a harmonious balance between architectural elegance and the coastal landscape, showcasing the allure of coastal art.
02 Diverse Humanistic Atmosphere
Within the commercial interiors of Huacai Haikou Bay Plaza, meticulous attention to detail creates a rich, layered environment. Warm wood tones and fine textures blend harmoniously, while the use of natural materials and daylight seamlessly integrates the beautiful outdoor scenery into the interior, fostering a calm and natural ambiance. Decorative lighting enhances the space’s allure, and sculptural elements add sophistication, contributing to a unique atmosphere.
The design thoughtfully combines architectural, commercial, retail, and hospitality elements. Spaces such as hotel lobbies, art galleries, and street markets are skillfully intertwined, breaking away from conventional commercial interior formats. The entrance lobby, inspired by hotel design techniques, offers a welcoming, cohesive environment.
The interior layout thoughtfully divides the space into distinct zones such as trendy beauty, style awards, fresh dining, urban kitchens, tea gardens, and fresh laboratories. This dynamic mixture injects vitality throughout the plaza, catering to the evolving social needs of consumers. The diverse spatial design enables an unmatched commercial and leisure experience at Huacai Haikou Bay Plaza.
The office building’s public area interiors also present a distinctive atmosphere. The design concept centers around “growth, integration, and sharing,” blending culture, work, and entertainment to create rich, diverse experiences for users.
The marketing center’s interior design focuses on simplifying complexity. By removing unnecessary elements and emphasizing light and shadow, it highlights the natural beauty of materials. Beyond meeting functional requirements for sales, investment promotion, and office use, the design team challenges spatial limitations by employing block interweaving and structural overhangs, creating a striking sense of depth and layering.
Originally envisioned as a community-focused commercial area, Huacai Haikou Bay Plaza has evolved into a distinctive artistic masterpiece through the fusion of art and commerce. Its striking landmark architecture and exceptional shopping experience have attracted visitors citywide, surpassing initial expectations. The surge in foot traffic has strengthened the project’s ongoing success and brand influence. As American artist Warhol famously said, “Art commerce is the next stage of commerce.” This innovative integration brings fresh ideas and broadens possibilities for shopping center development. Huacai Haikou Bay Plaza exemplifies the new generation of urban commercial complexes, leading the bay area’s commercial trend with its exceptional appeal and ushering in a new era of prosperity.
Project Information
Location: Haikou City, China
Owner: Hainan Huacai Investment Holdings Co., Ltd
Scale: 260,000 square meters
Scope of Services: Commercial podium building facade, commercial interiors, office building public area interiors, marketing center interiors
Start Date: June 2020
Completion Date: March 18, 2023
Design Team
Architectural Designers: Yen Liu, Matt Billerbeck, Bret Wiggins, Liang Zhao, Jing Han, Ying Zeng, Frank Hou, Minfengq Xia
Interior Designers: Kevin Horn, Yuwen Peng, Baojun Zhao, Mengdie Zhou, Aaron VandenHeuvel, Zenan Zhang, Irene Lok, Sean Xie
Photography by Hu Yihuai
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