MixC Ningbo

MixC Ningbo is a newly opened experiential retail destination in the heart of the city’s Central Business District.



The brief for the multifaceted development was to create a sanctuary within the bustling city. The concept looks to enhance the quality of experiential developments in Ningbo, introducing new levels of engagement spliced through private and public spaces. Animating the building and its surrounding streetscapes, the scheme features both active and passive forms of entertainment and experience.



Lead8 is the architect, retail planner and interior designer for the project that has established a new urban lifestyle destination for Ningbo. The design team has carefully crafted a destination that goes beyond expectations for visitors.



Highlights for MixC Ningbo include the city’s first Ferris wheel within a retail development, a 24 hour public ‘Sky Walk’ and an innovative placemaking strategy that draws on the rich history of Ningbo’s architecture, namely in the form of the city’s historic sloping roof buildings.



The architecture has been purposefully terraced to create unique commercial opportunities along the main road frontage and entrance to the Sky Walk. Enriching the material palette, glass, stone, wood and landscaping are used across the exterior – bringing a textured aesthetic to the terraced design. The reduction of glass on the façade has been a balance to ensure the design concept is maintained while energy consumption is limited.



The connective layer of the scheme is the multi-level ‘Sky Walk’, a 24 hour, open-air public realm that runs through the heart of the destination. The elevated walking street connects with a grand staircase welcoming visitors from street level as well as other strategic nodal points both internally and externally. The design enhances the pedestrian network across the site and also enables visitors to uncover new pockets of experience throughout their journey.



Within the development, visitors can enjoy an environment that promotes social engagement, discovery and exploration through a series of themed areas that are aimed at young families, children, youth, culture and lifestyle.