perforated aluminum panels wrap noyard commercial complex in china

Open-Plan Commercial Complex transforms Haikou’s urban fabric

NOYARD project in Haikou Gaoxingli, China, is a renovation that transforms an existing building into a commercial complex housing ten stores. Designed by Dazhou and Associates, the project focuses on creating an open, public space on the first floor, with features such as colonnades, gardens, and atriums to provide convenience and shelter for passersby. The original facade of the building has been wrapped in white perforated panels, which create intermediate spaces for planting vegetation and enhance the building’s interaction with its surroundings.

The renovation emphasizes openness and accessibility, with the first floor dedicated to public use. An entrance garden on the north side, with raised terraces, extends into the building, offering outdoor seating for bars and cafés while providing shade and shelter. The design opens up the building in an east-west direction, creating a shortcut along the central axis of the block, facilitating pedestrian flow. Additionally, an outdoor courtyard in the middle of the building provides access to the upper floors and serves as an urban space for future events.

all images by ©Liu Zhangyue unless stated otherwise

NOYARD’s Layered Design Integrates old and new Facades

The design team at Dazhou and Associates replaces the building’s original faux-European facade with perforated aluminum panels, which serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. These panels, forming stacked white boxes, create gaps between the old and new structures, allowing for the integration of vegetation and the creation of sky gardens for the upper-floor shops. A red staircase, visible through the perforations, connects the interior and exterior spaces, adding a visual thread that ties the design together.

Inside, the design revolves around a central atrium filled with natural light. The ten shops are arranged around this atrium, with some floor slabs removed to expose the original beam and column structure, enhancing the sense of openness and inviting visitors to explore the upper levels. The second floor, with its open-plan marketplace design, fosters a unique synergy among vendors and reduces operating costs. NOYARD transforms into a vibrant gathering space in the evening, as the building’s garden steps and rooftop terrace come alive with activity. The project demonstrates a thoughtful approach to urban renovation, blending public accessibility, commercial functionality, and aesthetic innovation.

NOYARD in Haikou is a renovated commercial complex by Dazhou and Associates | image by ©Tian Fangfang

NOYARD’s first floor is open to the public, featuring colonnades, gardens, and atriums | image by ©Tian Fangfang

white perforated panels wrap the original facade, creating spaces for vegetation | image by ©DONG Image

a garden on the north side extends into the building, offering shaded outdoor seating for bars and cafés

the original faux-European facade was replaced with functional and aesthetic perforated aluminum panels

a red staircase, visible through the perforations, connects interior and exterior spaces, creating a visual link

stacked white boxes create gaps between old and new structures, turning them into sky gardens

the renovation blends public accessibility with commercial functionality, demonstrating thoughtful urban design

a courtyard in the middle of the building provides access to upper floors and serves as a versatile urban space

the design centers around a light-filled atrium, inviting exploration of the upper levels | image by ©Tian Fangfang

project info:

name: NOYARD: Commercial Complex Above a Garden

architects: Dazhou and Associates
architectural team: Tang Dazhou, Wu Mingxiao, Jin Yilei, Zhang Wenting, Gong Ziyue

location: Haikou Gaoxingli, China

photography: Tian Fangfang, Liu Zhangyue, DONG Image

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom