Olympia 66: A Fusion of Contemporary Design and Oriental Overtone

Aedas' Award-Winning Retail and Shopping Mall Design Inspired by Chinese Symbolism

The design concept of Olympia 66 is a contemporary statement with an oriental overtone. The twin carp inspiration is evident in the internal curving arcs that resemble swimming carp, and the shells on the roof layered to create clear storey glazing. This allows direct and reflected light into the two atria, creating an inviting and vibrant atmosphere. The project is also environmentally conscious, pre-certified with a LEED Gold rating.

The realization of Olympia 66's design involved offset curving arcs of internal circulation, resembling the body of dancing carp. The main façade is composed of hexagonal modules with a lighting effect that references the reflective scales of a carp. The largely solid insulated roof prevents heat loss in winter and solar gain in summer, a simple yet effective environmental solution responsive to the northern Chinese climate.

Olympia 66's design specifications include a shopping mall area of 221,900sqm, seven floors of retail from B1 to L6, and three levels of basement parking from B1 to B3. The design was brought to life by Aedas, with Christine Lam and David Clayton as the key team members. The project started in May 2012 and was completed in December 2015 in Dalian, China.

The design research for Olympia 66 involved dividing the large floor area into open space and retail areas by two curved routes. These passageways create a mobius loop through the mall to maximize shop frontage, enhance circulation, and create an “endless” shopping experience. The sequenced leisure and event spaces along the retail route continue to a double-height forum connecting the ice rink and outdoor terraces surrounding the building.

One of the design challenges faced was enhancing urban connectivity and integration through multiple entrances. The continuous shop frontage around the street level of Olympia 66 provides great visibility of retail and makes the building totally permeable at ground level. To help customers navigate through the building, Integrated Digital Signage is integrated to provide the shortest route to the customer’s destination.

In conclusion, Olympia 66 is a testament to Aedas' ability to blend contemporary design with traditional symbolism. The design's unique properties and innovative realization technology have not only earned it a Golden A' Design Award but also positioned it as a landmark retail and shopping mall in China. With its environmental considerations and customer-centric design, Olympia 66 is indeed a marvel of modern architecture.