Benoy wins international design competition for COFCO

International architectural company Benoy has won the bidding for the Cofco Joy Breeze project in Suzhou, beating out several other global design firms.

It is another Cofco project for Benoy following the Joy City development in Hangzhou.

Joy Breeze is in Suzhou’s central Xiangcheng district, close to the entrance to the city’s planned central park. With a GFA of 300,000sqm, the mixed-use project brings together a retail mall, retail streets, public transport hub and parking.

“Our brief was to create a major commercial opportunity on this site as well as capture the interest of the district’s 25- to 45-year-old community,” says Benoy Shanghai studio director/head Qin Pang. “We were inspired by a passage from the Analects of Confucius which speaks of former eras and the feeling of enjoyment in the springtime. Our design has aimed to evoke these feelings and memories of happy spring days spent exploring new places.”

Subsequently, the retail, recreation and entertainment hub emphasises diversity through the variety of its spaces. It offers a network of balconies, rooftops, public squares, retail streets and boxes. The various sections are linked by a multi-level thoroughfare through each floor, ensuring the scheme can be navigated as a whole.

“We’ve paid attention to that special element of surprise,” says Qin. “For visitors coming day to day to do their shopping or meet with friends, each visit will bring a new experience.”

Through the openness of its design as well as multiple entry points and extensive street frontage, the Joy Breeze development also integrates with its surrounding urban and natural environments and nearby residential areas.

As a transport hub, the project is close to Longdaobang Metro Station and includes a bus station terminal.

Construction is expected to start next year.