![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=4de08f47f743c8956d065eba738eb306 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=4f7e7eef96bd5e161656655aead6ac3c 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=fbd1257019bbeea6739ca104e710c5c2 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=682&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=92740d5b3306f4eb13c822f15520a02c 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=933&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=8919d68ba1c4df86e0a32d5af61cdc87 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1066&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=8ba19d5c913f361fa84837d66b33a8bd 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-8-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=a0fcdd61a5467828c5373f734d82bb74 1920w)
The project
Make entered a competition in 2019 to design the facades for a premium shopping centre in China.
Inspired by the elegance and radiance of silk, a symbol of luxury, our proposal exposes the development’s existing concrete buildings and wraps them in a new cladding that resembles a flowing ribbon of silk. The facade design follows the current lines of the structures while providing a new focal point in the city.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=608cdaccf256e936ccce36c29f572659 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=ef16217307dc79ba5888b02ecf162d52 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=1708df5da5d27e679cb2d345655137b8 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=682&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=0fc1651c714ea9bde7bea821c4f8156d 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=933&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=2ca3197adea663690b1df0ba8db3bd75 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1066&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=1950a696f0df3c2b76a1952f638e89a5 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=b547c6a202ffa9918fa057627f338114 1920w)
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=b0b67b8183b3cb2bab96fa7df623dd1f 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=5e5cb50df0c31c6b39a1e5a914995420 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=4ea302079cdc085705fa3219cdb88970 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=c16b3342243d9a282d5ea3ed0139c7f3 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=934&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=18385693e4395229c0ddb0dec50ff983 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=95852505def353d86eec7112af07b304 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F01%2FShenzhenMixC-Make-1-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=bfb6c0bb811a8d8b36232488f88371a4 1920w)
The starting point
First we made a foamboard sketch model of the shopping centre and experimented with draping a piece of fabric over the top. This helped us analyse how the fabric would drape and fall, creating gentle curves and flowing lines across the length of the site.
The final model
We wanted to convey a luxurious feel with the model, so we started with a black gloss acrylic base, then we laser-cut frosted acrylic blocks to create the form of the existing shopping centre. By reducing the main building to simple shapes, we were able to keep the focus on the facades.
We then used the same data as the Design Visualisations team to digitally model the delicate roof structure and facade panels, 3D-printing them on our Formlabs 3D printer. This was the most challenging part of the model, as the shapes are very intricate and organic, and the high-quality printed components were very fragile to work with. We then spray-painted the panels in gold and silver paint before putting them into place, giving the model a shiny, metallic finish that enriches the luxury feel.
We scored lines into the base to indicate the roads and pedestrian routes surrounding the site, and then filled them with gold paint to complement the rest of the model. We laser-cut clear acrylic pieces to create the surrounding contextual buildings, layering them one floor at a time to communicate their scale.
Integrated lighting in the base illuminates the model, highlighting the metallic details and showcasing the rippling texture of the fabric-like cladding.
Together with the visualisations, drawings and video, the model completes a cohesive portfolio of materials that communicates the design.