BEIJING:  Skyscrapers have dominated China’s urban landscape for the past few decades. However, an Austrian architect working full-time in Beijing believes that China’s developers will focus more on mixed-use developments.

He cited Raffles City in Beijing, designed by SparchAsia, as the “benchmark. “It is located near Dongzhimen Subway Station. The landscape design lures people from the outside to come inside. The interior lighting system guides people,” he said. “Raffles City has a clear functional/spatial program with food courts in the basement and top floor.”

During an exclusive interview with SINA, Fritz Strauss, professor at Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture (BUCEA) and design director for UC Architects-based in Beijing, spoke about possible future architectural trends in the country.

“When it comes to mixed use developments, different uses merge where the main benefits can be designs changing from a mono-architecture city scene to various landscapes,” Strauss said. “It’s not just a shopping mall not just an office building.”

He added, “with a growing middle class, Chinese people have more cash to go shopping. Mixed-use development has already become popular in the West and these places can boost China’s overall social development, which is an essential component for its urbanization.”

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