A high-tech TOD interior concept linking three towers with flowing office and retail spaces above a major transport intersection in Jinan.
Light, Flow, and Function Above the City
CLOU architects has completed the interior design of the Jinan Big Data Industry Base, a transport-oriented development in Jinan, Shandong. Commissioned by Sunac, the 257,800 sqm mixed-use project comprises a ring-shaped commercial podium connecting three towers above a busy intersection. The interior strategy merges workplace and retail into a seamless circulation experience. Distinct lobby designs for each tower balance sleek modernity and warm tactility, while the shopping mall adopts a light-filled, organic character. Functional anchors such as a food court, subway connection, and conference centre complement the scheme’s connectivity.
A Transit-Oriented Interior Strategy
Located in Jinan, Shandong province, the Jinan Big Data Industry Base sits atop a major vehicular intersection and integrates directly with the city’s subway network. The interior scheme, designed by CLOU architects, supports the development’s transport-oriented planning by enabling fluid movement and orientation through its circular commercial ring. This ring links three towers, guiding office workers, visitors, and shoppers through layered programmes across multiple levels.
Distinctive Tower Lobbies
Each of the three towers presents a unique interior identity. Tower A features a sleek, minimalist aesthetic defined by metallic finishes, LED surfaces, and an integrated sky garden. Tower B contrasts with a warmer palette of wood and marble, offering a more tactile and comfortable environment. The variation across tower lobbies underlines the diversity of usage within the complex and helps to visually orient visitors.
Retail Spaces Organised Through Light
The shopping mall’s interiors are conceived as organic, flowing spaces that enhance spatial legibility through carefully orchestrated ceiling and floor patterns. A central design feature is the swirling gypsum ceiling arrangement around the skylights, formed in coordination with the MEP layout to maximise ceiling height. Varying levels of white plaster panels radiate outward with integrated yellow light bands, creating a vortex-like geometry that visually links with the patterned flooring below.
Zoning and Anchors
The interior circulation capitalises on the ring-shaped geometry by encouraging radial movement and sightlines. A curated ceiling design in black and white tones defines different zones across levels, including a vibrant third-floor food court and a fully equipped conference centre. Lighting plays a central role, with punctuated light points adding spatial rhythm and atmosphere.
Connectivity and Flexibility
The design responds to its urban context with a strategic integration of programme and infrastructure. A direct connection to the subway promotes accessibility, while multifunctional areas support both public and private events. By combining high-tech expression with functional comfort, CLOU architects deliver an interiors concept that enhances the base’s role as a civic and commercial node for the city.