NOKE Shopping Mall: A Modern Approach to Commercial Architecture
In a time where traditional department stores are facing challenges due to online shopping and the impact of the pandemic, JUT Land Development CO., Ltd has taken a bold step by constructing a new shopping mall in the Dazhi district, north of the Keelung River. The NOKE Shopping Mall, designed by Behet Bondzio Lin Architekten, aims to redefine the concept of a commercial space by incorporating elements of culture, art, and leisure into its design.
The inspiration for the NOKE Shopping Mall can be traced back to Akihisa Hirata’s Taipei Complex, which opened up a dialogue about the symbiosis between man and nature. While Hirata’s project was not realized, it sparked a conversation about the importance of creating spaces that go beyond mere consumption. The spirit of Cedric Price and Joan Littlewood’s Fun Palace, a place of boundless creativity and leisure, serves as a guiding principle for the design of NOKE.
Following the principles of the Fun Palace, which aimed to provide a cultural public facility that fosters optimism, joy, and social interaction, the NOKE Shopping Mall seeks to be more than just a commercial space. With 30% of the exhibition space dedicated to cultural activities and the inclusion of a Tsutaya Bookstore, over 50% of the mall is designed for public cultural and artistic use. This unique approach challenges the traditional commercial model by emphasizing everyday interactions and cultural enrichment.
One of the key design features of the NOKE Shopping Mall is the large staircase that splits the mass of the building and connects the upper and lower levels. This staircase serves as a focal point, drawing people in from the overpass and leading them to a vertical plaza. The open space created by the staircase allows for seamless flow between the cultural exhibition spaces on the lower levels, the literary space on the upper floors, and the rooftop ice rink.
The integration of greenery on the back wall of the staircase creates an upward garden and serves as a backdrop for vertical circulation within the building. The design of the ice rink utilizes folded aluminum panels to lighten the roof structure and introduce natural light from the north. The exterior elevation of the building follows a modular pattern, resembling a musical score, which provides a framework for commercial branding.
Overall, the NOKE Shopping Mall represents a new approach to commercial architecture, one that prioritizes cultural and artistic education, public interaction, and a sense of community. By reshaping the conventional commercial model and focusing on creating a space for leisure and social engagement, NOKE aims to be a boundless and free leisure social factory in the heart of Dazhi, Taipei.
