MXTR Park by Within-Beyond Studio

Situated at the heart of Water Plaza, MXTR Park embodies the philosophy of a “Mixture Park,” creating a dynamic space where public life and commercial activity intersect. The project redefines the concept of a landmark by fusing civic engagement with retail energy, transforming the building into a connector between economic vibrancy and urban social life. Through bold geometric forms and three-dimensional open spaces, MXTR Park asserts itself as both a visual and functional centerpiece of the plaza.

Understanding Site Challenges

The project site presented two primary challenges. First, the junction where the inner alley meets the high street suffers from a weak commercial atmosphere, which disrupts the continuity of retail circulation and diminishes the potential for a vibrant urban loop. Second, the site sits at the terminal end of the high street, lacking a strong visual identity and focal presence. This limited the impact of both the building and the surrounding urban space, necessitating a design that could establish a new center of gravity for Water Plaza.

Planning Strategy: One Arch, Two Terraces, Three Stages

After exploring multiple design options, the team selected a cylindrical form for the building. The circular geometry was chosen for several reasons: it symbolizes rationality and humility, harmonizes with the nearby “hugging elephant” sculpture, and maintains a clean visual balance with surrounding large-scale buildings. The resulting planning strategy, summarized as “one arch, two terraces, three stages,” became the guiding principle of the project.

The cylindrical mass is carefully carved along circulation paths, creating a welcoming and open façade that encourages movement and interaction. Facing the plaza, a stepped platform activates three distinct levels: the ground-floor flexible market, the second-floor ceremonial seating, and a rooftop sky garden designed as an elevated event space. This hierarchy of spaces allows MXTR Park to function simultaneously as a retail hub, gathering place, and venue for public events.

Design Strategy: Minimalist Structure and Material Contrast

A central design feature is an 18-meter-span steel arch, which anchors the composition and provides structural elegance. The fully open south façade maximizes visibility, encouraging commercial engagement while connecting the interior to the plaza. The stair canopy, shaped from the arch itself, seamlessly links the ground and second levels, merging structural necessity with sculptural expression.

Material choices reinforce this balance between boldness and approachability. A silver aluminum roof references surrounding architecture and emphasizes the sculptural quality of the building, while wood and wood-toned aluminum panels at pedestrian level create warmth and human scale. The landscape design blurs boundaries between commercial and public zones, allowing retail activity to flow organically into leisure and social spaces, fostering a fluid and inclusive urban experience.

Operational Strategy: Sustaining Engagement and Value

MXTR Park’s design extends beyond form to embrace a triadic operational model aimed at sustaining long-term vibrancy. Public areas are designed for comfort and extended stays, converting natural foot traffic into commercial engagement. The “see and be seen” spatial scenarios encourage interaction, integrating visitors into the urban spectacle while maintaining functional flexibility. Ground-floor zones are subdivided into smaller, community-oriented spaces, allowing for retail, events, and pop-up activations, supporting both social engagement and economic resilience.

Creating a Landmark for Compact Urban Architecture

MXTR Park exemplifies how architecture can simultaneously serve commercial objectives and public interest. By applying the logic of “one arch, two terraces, three stages,” the project establishes a layered urban experience that engages multiple levels of activity. The rooftop sky garden, ceremonial terrace, and flexible ground-floor spaces work in concert to create a rich sequence of public and commercial experiences, ensuring the building is active throughout the day and adaptable for diverse uses.

Conclusion: A Model for Urban Integration

As a compact yet highly dynamic urban intervention, MXTR Park sets a new precedent for integrated commercial and civic architecture. Its innovative form, materiality, and operational strategy create a seamless dialogue between retail activity and public life. By blending bold geometric architecture with thoughtful social programming, MXTR Park transforms a previously underutilized corner of Water Plaza into a hub of vitality, demonstrating that small-scale architectural projects can achieve significant impact when they are carefully integrated into the urban context. It stands as a forward-thinking model for cities seeking to reconcile economic activity with civic engagement and public enjoyment.

Photography: ZC Architectural Photography Studio