An elevated boardwalk and twin glasshouses transform a retail centre in Changyang into a vibrant public space for community life.

A Commercial Civic Centre in Changyang

CLOU architects proposes The Greenhouse as a new typology for mixed-use development in Beijing’s Changyang district. Designed as the heart of a 195,000 sqm commercial and residential complex, the project integrates shopping, entertainment, and living across three adjacent plots. Centred around an elevated public street and two iconic glass structures, The Greenhouse redefines the shopping centre as a shared civic destination, inviting visitors into a layered spatial journey from ground level to rooftop.

Urban Strategy and Site Approach

The project’s urban design strategy begins at street level. CLOU architects carved a gently bevelled footprint at ground and second levels to facilitate intuitive circulation, while maximising storefront visibility for key tenants. A series of courtyards extend into the western plot, visually and functionally connecting the lower basement with public outdoor space.

Connecting North and South through Mid-Level Bridges

Levels 03 and 04 introduce a dramatic cantilever to mark the site’s southwest entrance. These levels also physically bridge the north and south shopping volumes, unifying them into a continuous spatial system. At the centre, a recessed courtyard cutout above the road allows natural light to filter through and gives identity to the commercial core.

The Elevated Street and Glasshouses

At the uppermost levels, CLOU architects lifts the traditional pedestrian street onto levels 05 and 06, transforming the commercial experience into an elevated journey. Two distinctive glasshouses sit prominently on level 05, acting as visual markers and hubs for themed activities. One serves as a dedicated children’s play area; the other houses open-air dining terraces and food kiosks. These glass volumes not only activate the rooftop walkways but create a porous connection between indoor retail and open-air leisure.

Public Realm and Retail Synergy

Walking along the upper-level street leads visitors to a cinema lobby with panoramic city views. A cluster of cafés and restaurants ensures foot traffic beyond cinema hours, extending the project’s usability throughout the day and night. By layering retail with lifestyle programmes, the development cultivates a dynamic rhythm of public life.

Commercial Design as Civic Infrastructure

More than a retail destination, The Greenhouse is envisioned as a civic centre for Changyang. By embedding social programming into every level, the project contributes to the community’s daily life while meeting contemporary retail demands. CLOU architects’ design positions the shopping centre as an adaptable platform for social engagement, everyday leisure, and urban vitality.