Marking its one-year anniversary, Changchun Grand Shopping Center has made an incredible impact on the region, solidifying its place as a thriving commercial destination.
Developed by Grand Business Group, this project is the fifth commercial property following successful ventures in Harbin, Haikou, and Chengdu, and the largest in the Group’s portfolio. It also marks another milestone in Benoy’s longstanding partnership with Grand Business Group, building on the success of Chengdu Grand Shopping Center.
Benoy was entrusted to optimise the existing commercial floor plan, which was already structurally complete, and provide comprehensive interior design consulting services. The result is a future-forward retail destination tailored to Changchun’s evolving urban landscape.
A prime location and purposeful design
Located in the core of Changchun’s emerging southern business district, often referred to as the city’s new ‘urban sub-centre’, the shopping centre spans 160,000 square metres. Seamlessly integrated with the metro, it serves as a vibrant one-stop destination for families, entertainment, shopping, and dining.
Divided into three sections — A, B, and C — the shopping centre was designed to cater to distinct audiences while addressing the challenge of monotony across its 600-metres expanse. Benoy introduced unique rhythms to each section.
Sections A and B feature family-focused zones, while Section C is tailored to engage the younger generation. Breaking up the monotony of the long walkways was a key challenge, and the design employs varied spatial rhythms and visual interest to create a dynamic and engaging journey throughout the centre.
Section Highlights
Benoy has incorporated the three rhythmic languages — ‘joy,’ ‘tranquillity,’ and ‘vitality’ — into Sections A, B, and C, respectively, reflecting the retail format and cultural nuances of Changchun.
Given Changchun’s climate, where people seek out sunshine during winter, the design thoughtfully creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. The tone, scale, and distinct ‘rhythm’ of each section ensure a unique identity, enhancing the overall sense of place while maintaining harmony across the spaces.
The interiors of Sections A and B feature a cohesive design inspired by stacked forms and abstract geometric elements, enhanced by light as a guide to open up the space and create an exciting dialogue. A warm, family-friendly atmosphere emerges through a combination of mocha and soft sand colours, setting the stage for an inviting business environment. This design approach imbues Changchun Grand with a distinctive identity, establishing it as a unique lifestyle destination.
Section A: Immersive sensory experience
Entering through Section A’s main entrance, visitors are drawn to the ceiling intricately formed from light champagne gold metal mesh and metal panels, with linear light strips embedded in between. This elegant, ordered design sets the tone for an open, relaxing, and welcoming shopping experience.
The commercial atrium in Section A is centred around the theme of ‘joy,’ with Benoy’s innovative design introducing a striking polygonal block of ‘observation decks’ at the head of the original walkway loop. Arranged in a staggered configuration along the atrium balcony’s edge, these decks overlook and interact with the spaces below. Each level features a unique retail format, offering distinct shopping routes while delivering an immersive sensory experience for a new generation of consumers.
The secondary atrium features bright finishes, with illuminated dark grooves outlining the edges of the five storeys. This is complemented by a warm wooden grille ceiling, creating a visual focal point that enhances the overall space. The design achieves a simple yet elegant, infused with a subtle sense of vitality.
Section B: A tranquil core
Located in the heart of the main commercial area, Section B acts as a bridge between Section A and C. Designed around the theme of ‘tranquillity,’ it offers shoppers a space to linger and unwind in a relaxed, carefree atmosphere. The architecturally distinctive ceiling incorporates a ‘skylight’ that introduces a sense of natural light into the atrium, while the use of simple materials and recessed lighting evokes the feeling of being outdoors, walking beneath a serene night sky.
Linking Corridors
Connecting Sections B and C, Benoy reimagined the corridor as a dynamic social hub, transforming the thoroughfare into a space where young people can work, relax, socialise, and check in on social media.
This corridor also serves as a unique visual feature of the urban interface, visible from the outside. The ceiling design draws inspiration from the glazed ice of northern China, with graceful curves that surge towards the curtain wall façade like waves, ending elegantly near the escalator edges. This creates a spatial interplay of staggered heights and overlapping layers. A well-proportioned arrangement of spotlights enhances the sense of rhythm and airiness of the space, adding to its vibrant and inviting character.
Section C: Immersive energy and youth appeal
The theme of Section C is ‘vitality,’ with an atrium design inspired by an ‘immersive theatre.’ Curved aluminium panels with a gradient pattern partially enclose the surrounding walkways, evoking the feel of a theatre auditorium. White corrugated aluminium panels open like curtains, revealing the central stage as the focal point.
The colour scheme, dominated by light champagne gold and matte silver-white aluminium panels, creates an atmosphere of transparency and elegance. The atrium ceiling features an interactive multimedia installation, capable of transforming the space to evoke different moods. Designed to resonate with young visitors who want to express their individuality and charm, this dynamic environment invites them to become the ‘star of the show.’
Thoughtful details in every corner
Even the smallest spaces have been thoughtfully designed, such as the bathroom, which reflect the theme of ‘nature beyond time and space.’ Green terrazzo finishes and plant walls behind translucent glass panels create a serene, natural atmosphere, bringing greenery and vitality to the northeast during winter months.
In the open lift lobby, curved aluminium panels on the light champagne-coloured walls are covered with a gradient membrane, adding a touch of sophistication. The panels are divided into varying widths to break up the sense of repetition.
Changchun’s historic business districts are continually evolving, with new commercial developments emerging rapidly. Against this backdrop, the Changchun Grand Shopping Center has injected a unique commercial vitality into the city. By leveraging China Grand Enterprises’ diverse offering, attentive services, and the creative use of spatial themes and IP (intellectual property), the development has significantly enhanced the appeal to local consumers.
On the occasion of the first anniversary of the Changchun Grand Shopping Centre, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the client, China Grand Enterprises, and the Benoy team for their collaborative efforts in delivering this masterpiece.
