China Eastern Airlines Ph5 Commercial Project (Public Area)

China Eastern Airlines Ph5 commercial project—MU PLAZA (MU 470) designed by HWCD, situated close to Oriental DreamWorks, can be likened to an art gallery. Its unique space arrangement and exotic ambiance are bound to excite any visitor.

“MU” is the code for China Eastern Airlines, while “470” comes from the location of the project. The combination -- “MU 470” points to the influence on the design of the shopping mall from the world of aviation. It offers an unique experience of traveling in the multi-dimensional world of space and time. Stepping into the atrium, the visitors’ eyes are caught immediately by the "spaceship" floating above. The cabin-like space is dotted with tiny lights, its unusual shape suggesting a spaceship of some kind, or could it be a Saturn-like planet with its own belt? The ambition and the scope of this design are breath-taking, and certainly fitting for a giant of the aviation industry.

The ground floor of the atrium signifies Earth, where natural materials such as wood and natural stones are used. The motif of “MU 470” on the floor greets the visitors as if they were boarding for a holiday. The play of space in the atrium was inspired by Covent Garden of London, where people come to dine, shop and wander, all in a perfectly vibrant and relaxing surrounding. The flight-themed floor and wall design once again reminds visitors of the master of the sky in the pedestrianised aisles.

Ascending to the second floor, the scene switches from London to Italy. The wall is decorated with Renaissance-inspired rose windows. The gathering of these windows resembles the clocks showing international times as one expects to find in airports. No unlike the constant updating of flight schedules, time is of equal essence here.

The escalator brings visitors to the top floor, where space-age turns into an Australia ranch. Rolls of hay and green pasture transform the space into a bright and calm outdoor paradise.

Arriving onto the basement floor of the shopping centre, visitors are overwhelmed with a sense similar to that of entering the Great Bazaar. All details are brought to characterise a Middle Eastern feel. The Moroccan pottery inspired lighting adorn the ceiling, while curved lattice boards add to the space a subtle balance of energy and abundance.

The B2 floor of MU470 is directly connected with subway station through a majestic staircase, almost ceremonially welcoming visitors to this amazing space for a skyward experience.