At the end of last year, a new shopping mall opened in Shanghai, immediately becoming a popular destination. However, there are many innovative buildings in the area, so what design feature has made everyone flock to this mall?
This uniquely shaped building, like something out of a movie, is the new Shanghai landmark “Tian’an Qianshu.” Combining shopping malls, art galleries, and a riverside leisure center, this building is named after the one thousand green trees planted within it. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the architect behind the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, “Tian’an Qianshu” draws inspiration from the mountains of Huangshan in China and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, creating a green forest that appears to float in mid-air. Not only is it visually stunning, but it also contributes to the city’s low-carbon development.
This intricately designed “Sky Garden” covers an area of about 90705 square meters, consisting of 400 levels of stairs, along with 1000 green tree-planted structural columns, forming a mountain tree-like appearance. From a distance, it looks like a continuous range of mountains, displaying a natural landscape of varying heights. Adjacent to the Suzhou River, the architecture complements the water, creating picturesque scenery throughout the four seasons, no wonder many people are drawn to this scenic spot.
It is worth noting that the architectural site includes four century-old flour mills. Due to strict protection regulations on historical and cultural heritage, the project will also revitalize and repair these protected buildings, allowing the old and new buildings to blend together and serve new purposes.
In order to make “Tianan Qianshu” a gathering place for artistic exhibitions, the mall will introduce works from artists around the world, distributed inside and outside the building, aiming to provide everyone with diverse services such as art, shopping, and leisure. The south facade of the mall has also intentionally created an “art giant screen wall,” inviting 16 artists from around the world to create, with the finished products permanently included on the screen wall.
After seeing the above introduction and pictures, are you all very excited? Why not add it to your travel list and visit it next time you come to the Magic City!
Learn more: Heatherwick Studio
Image source: Heatherwick Studio, Justin Szeremeta
