Giant mall for CapitaMalls’ Suzhou Center

A new development in Suzhou, China, will feature a world-record setting roof structure over a 340,000sqm, seven story retail complex

Suzhou Center, developed by CapitaMalls Asia (CMA) and Suzhou Industrial Park Jinji Lake Urban Development was unveiled this month, with Benoy named as the architect and interior designer behind the development’s major retail component. The shopping mall will be covered by the world’s largest monocoque roof structure, spanning over 36,000sqm and making Suzhou Center the city’s most eye-catching landmark.

Suzhou Center is a large-scale, high-end integrated development in the heart of the western CBD of Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP). Planned on a 16 ha site along the bank of Jinji Lake, the broader scheme comprises retail, commercial, residential and a hotel, as well as entertainment and cultural spaces. Considered the world’s largest, a free-form monocoque roof structure

Benoy director Winnie Tsang said 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,” explained Winnie. “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 retail mall will be 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.

Suzhou Center is due to be completed in 2017.