Gangxia, Shenzhen

Creating an attention grabbing ‘ribbon effect’ façade 

The retail mall – known as One Avenue – is home to a range of shops, boutiques, experiential entertainment facilities, terraced restaurants and more that make it the civic and cultural heart of the Shenzhen Centre. It is where people go to socialise, shop, eat and live – so it had to stand out.

We were appointed to create a complex ‘ribbon effect’ façade for the exterior of the mall which fulfilled a number of design criteria. First, the pattern of the panels needed to reflect the ‘crown’ of the landmark tower just behind to ensure design consistency across the wider development. Second, it needed to reflect the development’s cultural and geographical context. That meant a fluid design inspired by nature, specifically the city’s official flower, the bougainvillea.

We created a complex array of panels which form a ‘ribbon effect’ and can be illuminated in different colours so the retail mall façade feels alive from moment to moment. Light plays across the panels to create a dramatic profile with heightened visual interest. The layout is subtly configured to taper and allow glimpses of the sky gardens beyond, letting nature shine through without sacrificing any interior floor space.

Our 100A Natural Silver finish, just 20 microns thick across the entire 6,500 sqm span of aluminium, enables this effect without imposing itself over the plaza and nearby area. The combination of material, finish and design is a masterclass in how to create vibrant public-facing façades which enhance the overall design and principles of a development.

Complete project management from start to finish

United Anodisers was appointed to project manage the whole façade project in order to ensure the highest levels of quality in all areas. We purchased the materials, produced the panels, anodised them with our 100A Natural finish and then shipped them to China successfully.

In the end, we completed all of that work on time and to the highest standard in just three months from our initial appointment. This condensed timeline shows the benefit of using a professional, world-class partner like United Anodisers. Other projects in China such as the Huawei Technical Centre in Hangzhou have done the same and enjoyed the benefits this complete approach to façade specification.

While we normally focus on anodising aluminium for architectural applications, we can also provide our partners with a much broader service when required.

Victoria Watts, Sales Director at United Anodisers, said: “We were given a high level of trust on this project, being asked to design, produce and deliver the façade which would define this high-profile development. The ribbon-effect end product is one we are particularly proud of as it is a dramatic, modern intervention in the built environment which also manages to highlight the natural aspects of the area – all while delivering a practical, durable exterior.”

Want to learn more about what you can achieve with an anodised aluminium façade finish? See our other projects here and contact the team today.