Page 36 - December 2022/January 2023 #177

DESIGN PROFILE - AEDAS

A Journey through

the Seasons

A edas is the world ’ s only local and global ar chitectur e and design practice driv en
Aedas is the world’s only local and global architecture and design practice driven
wledge and inter
e,
by global sharing of research, local knowledge and international practice. Here,
y global sharing of r
esear
b
ch, local kno
national practice. H
er
Lam,
company
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RLI sits down with Ed Lam, Executive Director at Aedas to discuss the company’s
RLI
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with
E
d
sits
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ecutiv
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ector
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discuss
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edas
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Link CentralWalk project which opened earlier this year after undergoing a
Link CentralW alk pr oject which opened earlier this y ear after undergoing a
substantial r eno v ation.
substantial renovation.
he business is home to over 1,200 creative minds with design indoor-outdoor relationship, improving connectivity and circulation,
studios across the globe that create world-class design solutions increasing commercial value for every retailer through strategical planning,
Twith deep social and cultural understanding of the communities interior and façade makeover as well as landscape upgrade,” explains Ed
we design for. Lam, Executive Director at Aedas. “To ensure a smooth circulation, the
Link CentralWalk was originally built in 2007 and was one of the largest design redresses the spatial layout by introducing a central spine and pocket
shopping malls within the CBD of Futian, Shenzhen and was a popular mall spaces along key intersections which serve as distinguishable signposts
for many of the youngsters at the time. With the rapid CBD development in for visitors. The existing loop breaks into two characteristic retail wings,
the last 15 years, CentralWalk was at the threshold of Futian’s urbanisation’s seamlessly connected to the piazzas in the east and west, as well as the two
new era, with numerous commercial towers rising along the Fuhua Road and focal points (main entrance and event atrium) along the spine.”
nearby shopping malls finishing their renovation. Futian CBD now becomes The project has been positioned as an “urban paradise on the central axis
the busiest and most well-developed commercial district in Shenzhen, which of Futian” and provides a sensory journey where visitors could immerse
necessitated an upgrade for CentralWalk. themselves in a “slow space”. The cyclical nature of the four seasons inspired
Located in the Futian CBD area of Shenzhen sitting on the central axis the zoning of CentralWalk, in which visitors are afforded to stroll effortlessly
of the district, Link CentralWalk is surrounded by a network of financial along the retail wings or to access the surrounding urban space from either
institutions, civic and retail centres and convenient transportation. Aedas direction. Based on sectors’ spatial qualities, four seasons themed areas
took up the task to enhance their client Link REIT’s first large-scale asset in (spring, summer, autumn and winter) are created, with corresponding
Mainland China and one of the largest shopping malls in the region. colour and greenery application. Besides still visual scenes, specific aroma,
“Prior to the renovation, the interiors did not integrate with the background music, interactive projection system and snow blower are
surrounding greenery. The enhancement plan is chiefly about strengthening applied to heighten visitors’ senses, submerging them into an environment
Aerial View of Link CentralWalk Spring - West Wing