Nestled in the heart of Guangzhou, the GT Land Olympic Mall has undergone a transformative redesign, reimagining its decades-old multi-level interior retail space into a dynamic, tropical oasis. This 200-meter-long by 65-meter-wide central corridor now captivates visitors with a lush and flowing environment, where architecture and landscape seamlessly intertwine to redefine the shopping experience.

Collaborating closely with the project’s architects, we strategically cut away sections of the original floors to create better connectivity, dynamic sightlines, and invite more natural light into the space. This bold approach opened up the mall’s core, offering an inviting and airy atmosphere. To further break the rigidity of the original design, we incorporated undulating lines and organic forms into the architecture and landscape, evoking the natural movement of rippling water.

This fluidity extends to every element of the mall’s redesign. Meandering pathways guide visitors through a vibrant tropical garden, where tiered, stone-clad seating evokes the impression of earth shaped by flowing water. These seating forms not only provide social destinations but also establish a connection to the natural world, reinforced by the cascading greenery and fountains that animate the gardens.

The interplay of nature and design continues with intimate seating areas, nature-inspired play zones, pop-up retail opportunities, and a lively food hall. A 35-meter diameter rotunda anchors the central space, surrounded by mature palms and trees that shade a patterned grey granite plaza. At its heart, a raised dancing water fountain doubles as a focal point and a stage for events, making it a vibrant hub of activity.

Adding a vertical dimension to the experience, a striking three-level ‘birdcage’ structure overlooks the rotunda. Each level offers a unique destination: a floor-to-ceiling aquarium, a live bird enclosure, and an overlook bar that provides unparalleled views of the lush environment below. Along the cut-out retail levels, sculptural seating ‘nests’ and decorative ‘birdcages’ serve as both visual draws and inviting retreats for shoppers.

Every element of the planting design was carefully curated to thrive under the existing skylights and windows. Structural columns were transformed into ‘tree trunks,’ enveloped in green wall plantings of live shrubs and accented by decorative metal branch planters that spiral upward with cascading greenery. These innovative features enhance the feeling of walking beneath a layered tree canopy, blurring the boundaries between the built and natural worlds.