CapitaMalls Asia (CMA) and Jinji Lake Urban Development have announced the launch of the Suzhou Center – a large-scale, high-end integrated development in the heart of Suzhou Industrial Park, designed by architectural and interior design firm, Benoy.
Comprising retail and residential spaces, commercial offices, a hotel, as well as entertainment and cultural spaces, the structure also features the world’s largest free-form monocoque roof structure spanning over 36,000 square metres.
“Benoy is extremely excited to be working on a scheme of such significance as Suzhou Center,” says Benoy director, Winnie Tsang. “The design has pushed many boundaries and will no doubt be a leading international example of architectural innovation.
“Benoy’s design for the roof was inspired by the mythical Chinese phoenix,” Winnie explains. “We envisaged the structure as a bird resting above an oasis with the striking curved architecture mimicking its wings. To turn this concept into a viable and deliverable structure has taken an unwavering commitment by our Team and it is incredibly rewarding to see us making history as we go.”
The seven-storey retail and entertainment podium will have a GFA of 340,000 square metres and spread across three interconnected buildings. Alongside luxury and high-street retailers, children’s attractions, designer studios and a gourmet supermarket, there will also be an IMAX Cineplex and an Olympic-size ice rink.
Another prominent feature in Benoy’s design is ‘Water’, taking inspiration from the neighbouring Jinji Lake scenery. Landscaped bridges extend from the retail development to the lakefront to capitalise on the proximity to the natural site. Terraces overlooking the water have created additional civic spaces within the retail podium and a cascading ‘Water curtain’ spanning 50 metres pays homage to the local environment.
With its integrated traffic network and seamless transport accessibility to Suzhou’s MRT network, the development will serve a catchment of 13 million Greater Suzhou residents and over 8 million tourists to the SIP annually. Four modern Grade A office towers, two world-class luxury serviced apartment towers and the W Suzhou hotel tower complete the mix for the city’s most prominent future landmark to date.
Suzhou Center is due to be completed in 2017.
