The Heart of Yiwu: A Modern Marvel of Architecture

Aedas' Award-Winning Design Breathes New Life into Yiwu's Urban Landscape

The Heart of Yiwu draws its inspiration from the Chinese symbol for river, 'Chuan川'. This symbol signifies the wealth, trade, and culture that rivers bring, elements that Aedas aimed to infuse into the city and its people. The stone brick wall along Beimen Street is a nod to the city's old wall, evoking memories of Yiwu's rich history. The mall also houses a cultural exhibition center and a variety of public and commercial spaces, reflecting the city's vibrant culture and history.

What sets The Heart of Yiwu apart is its unique 'urban Living' Plaza. This plaza combines large-scale retail, dining, and entertainment facilities into one urban complex. The design introduces an external 24-hour circulation route that connects the ground floor plaza to the 5th level, bringing life to the retail stories above. This innovative design feature posed a unique challenge given the site's location and size.

The construction of The Heart of Yiwu was a feat of modern technology. The main shell of the development was covered with aluminum panels and double-glazing glass, with parts of the façade decorated with stone. This choice of materials was a visual recall of Yiwu's old city wall. To minimize pollution and energy consumption, regionally manufactured construction materials were widely used. Concrete and stone were extracted and processed nearby Yiwu, reducing the need for long-distance transportation.

The design also boasts impressive technical specifications. The skylight design reduces reliance on artificial lighting, saving energy and enhancing visual comfort. A water pond on the sunken plaza side is designed for evaporative cooling, cooling the outdoor air before it enters the indoor space. This, along with effective cross ventilation, reduces the use of mechanical ventilation, saving more energy.

The Heart of Yiwu faced several design challenges, including a complex site property with a 300m span and an 8m level difference. The design took advantage of this level difference by introducing stepped landscaping and entrances. The high plot ratio and commercial aspirations of the client required seven floors of retail area, which was achieved by introducing the external 24-hour circulation route.

The Heart of Yiwu is more than just a shopping mall. It's a testament to the power of innovative design and a tribute to the rich cultural heritage of Yiwu. This design has not only responded to challenging site locations and technical restraints but has also embedded the history and cultural heritage of Yiwu into its design. The Heart of Yiwu was awarded the Golden A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2018, a testament to its extraordinary excellence and significant impact on the world.