Grand opening for Wuxi shopping centre

The Livat Shopping Centre in Wuxi China held an opening ceremony on 27 June to mark the formal handing over of the project. BDP has been working on the project, which is the first major shopping development in China by InterIKEA Centre Group (IICG), since 2008.

The 140,000sqm scheme offers the most extensive retail offer in Jiangsu Province. Anchored by a new format IKEA store, which opened in 2012, the mall also features a hypermarket, over 300 international and domestic stores, an ice rink, restaurant and catering outlets, along with hospitality, cinema and entertainment venues.

The principal concept is based upon the egg form with the external shell curved in both plan and section to emphasise the identity of the building. The scheme’s use of colour enhances the architectural expression and form of the building. The shell-like surface of the building is luminous at night giving the building a presence and creating a spectacular facade. Convenient access is provided by a light railway station directly connected to the mall, multiple bus stops and more than 5,200 parking spaces. Key to this development is the inbuilt opportunity for further expansion.

BDP was architect, civil and structural engineer, building services engineer, landscape architect, and lighting designer for the scheme.

BDP is also working on two other major retail schemes in China for IICG, one in Beijing which opens later this year, and one in Wuhan which completes in 2015.