Livat Shopping Centre opens in Wuhan

InterIKEA Centre China opened its third BDP designed shopping centre, LIVAT Wuhan, in April 2015, following previous openings in Wuxi and Beijing last year.

The scheme, located in the Qiaokou district of Wuhan city centre, has a catchment of 8.6 million local residents and strong transport facilities including a raised bridge linking it to the light rail system, a number of bus stops and parking for 4,700 cars.

The 172,000sqm centre incorporates an IKEA store as a key central anchor, hypermarket, international and domestic retailers, a substantial food and beverage offer, multiplex cinema and ice rink.

Set over three levels, the scheme brings together a strong Scandinavian theme with local Wuhan references, all set under a sweeping glazed roof. Bridges, escalators and nodes link the different levels and zones within the centre to create a dramatic volume whilst providing strong sightlines ensuring shoppers can easily orientate and are aware of the retail offer around them.

The facades, calm and serene, have been inspired by the many lakes in Wuhan, whilst the dominant entrances clearly identify routes into the building. A dramatic lily pad vertical circulation structure incorporating a cascading light installation acts as a spectacular centrepiece.

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