This project at Hisense Plaza in Qingdao’s Fushan Bayfront reimagines the mall’s rooftop into a vibrant, accessible public space. Traditionally closed off and focused inward, the mall’s design previously limited engagement with the city’s beautiful bay views and temperate climate.
Challenging conventional commercial renovation goals, the project rejects the initial brief for an exclusive, glass-encased VIP rooftop area. Instead, it proposes an innovative amphitheatre that serves both as a communal hall and a public observatory, inviting everyone to enjoy panoramic views and cultural performances free of charge.
This transformative approach aims to break down barriers between commercial spaces and the public realm, fostering a sense of community, equality, and openness. By integrating the amphitheatre into the urban fabric, the project not only enhances the mall’s relationship with its surroundings but also enriches the social and cultural life of Qingdao. This project stands as a testament to the potential of architecture to contribute to urban vitality and social cohesion, offering a model for future developments that prioritize public value over commercial interests.
Despite its prime location, Hisense Mall is detached from the urban context with its impermeable architectural form. Our solution is a pragmatic approach to design, where true innovation lies not in shaping but in programming and organizing. We hope this extension project will demonstrate how commercial buildings can embrace cultural awareness and spirituality. The combination of positioning, context, form, and compatible functions makes it an ideal setting for innovative layering of programs. The synergy is unique and apt, promoting a more equitable and inclusive urban environment.
Society Particular
SKYBOWL, a rooftop amphitheater on the Hisense Mall, emerges as a pioneering example of urban renewal and a testament to our commitment to reshaping commercial architecture. The project’s background reveals the challenge of creating an inclusive space within a high-end mall while adhering to an initial design brief of a “glassed VIP lounge.”
Society Particular achieved this by proposing an “amphitheater on top of a hall,” a concept that prioritizes inclusivity, cultural enrichment, and sustainability. The project’s form, with its lightweight and transparent design, avoids excessive intrusion into the existing architecture and urban environment. Its dual nature—both an independent structure and an integrating interface with the surrounding landscape—demonstrates our intention to balance form and function.
The design philosophy emphasizes that true innovation goes beyond shaping; it’s rooted in programming and organization. Society Particular leveraged differences in altitudes to usher in natural light, transforming the previously dark and unpleasant hall into a welcoming and radiant space. This innovative approach reflects their belief in creating a more equitable and inclusive urban environment, promoting quality, equality, and cultural vitality.
Photo
Yong Gao
