Zijing Paradise Walk

Zijing Paradise Walk presents a considered response to growing consumer priorities for health and wellbeing. It takes cue from vernacular architecture – both in form and function – to engage the local public in everyday living.



The overall design captures the elegance and conciseness of traditional Hui-style architecture with playful modern design language, embodying a sense of simplicity, elegance and preserved heritage. The iconic shaved roofs mimic the iconic Hangzhou-style roof while facades are made of ultra-thin aluminium panels, creating staggered patterns with a natural unevenness reminiscent of ancient brickworks.



Composition and shifting of forms are made to achieve sculptural qualities, breaking away from typical shopping centre designs. These create multi layers of ‘hanging courtyards’ in the spirit of breakout spaces in traditional Hangzhou villages. Cantilevered forms provide generous sheltered space along pedestrian sidewalks, serving as comfortable buffer zones during the summer and on rainy days.



These features also efficiently reduce the amount of direct sunlight entering the building and is an important measure of energy-saving and sustainability. The main skylight over the central atrium is equipped with automated solar shading devices on the external side, deployable when the indoor temperature rises above a certain level.



The building harmonises with the environment with a subdued palette of façade materials, patterns and silhouettes reminiscent of historic Hangzhou architecture.



Since its opening in early 2020, Zijing Paradise Walk has become a social destination for the community, forging connections with local people by bringing together traditional culture, natural surroundings and modern city life. It caters to people’s basic needs while offering multiple experiential recreational facilities, pushing the envelope for wellness-driven retail and promoting an active lifestyle in the neighbourhood.