VANKE Rotterdam Square

The VANKE Rotterdam Project, named after the city of progressive city, is all about paying tribute to its spirit of free, flexible and daring design.
As the first full-family lifestyle square that applies strong focus on a child-friendly environment, the Rotterdam Square, located in the Changbai district of Shenyang, focuses on meeting the different needs of family consumer groups, in an effort to create a quality space. Vanke invited KCAP, a renowned Dutch design company, to work on the overall architectural planning of the Rotterdam Project.
Drawing on the essence of DELFSHAVEN's classic block design in the Netherlands, their adventurous and playful spirit generated spaces of imagination and transcendence, bearing infinite possibilities for children's amazement and growth. IDDI based the theme of this lighting design as a way to further this endeavor.
Upon first glance, it is color that greets the visitor from a distance. The selection of the particular selections conveys an image worth a thousand words. Rotterdam square adopts the classic color combination of "white + red".
Red is represented with enthusiasm by a flowing, overhanging curtain wall that projects its energetic vibrations far above the plaza. The white LOGO of VANKE brand, is by contrast, quiet, simple and empowering. The combination creates a strong sense of trend balance and hospitality
Echoing the surrounding residential areas with interlaced themes of red, brown and white, it captures the curiosity of children and attracts people to walk towards the light.
Inside the red glass curtain wall, LED linear projection lights are arranged in a long matrix cluster, completing the diversified harmony offered by the circular shop guiding system and the highly visible narrow angle track window spotlights, thus forming the visual aesthetics of points, lines and surfaces, which complement the architecture.
The Metallic glass surface of the building ignites a landscape of surreal reflections, where a microcosm of lights in several scales and several types, interact from several angles. This visually playful overlap of lights and shadows reconstructs an atmosphere often found in the dreams of children
In a fusion of contemporary design and fairytales, a series of sculptural elements and decorative paintings pop out in the form of traditional neon lights powered by LED lighting technology. This is an effective combination of modern technology and retro punk art, establishing connections with the flow of people, expresses the passionate face of the city and its pulse and attracts the passer-by to share a moment in a dynamically hybrid world. It’s a pathway that leads to vivid urban memories through the eyes of children and those who cherish the nostalgia of their youth.
The Illumination at the feet of the building is installed by means of optically selected linear LED projectors, parallelly encased in the colored aluminum suspended ceiling of the overhanging box. A much-needed belt of functional lighting, thus enhances the façade attractivity and its connection to the street.
The entrance canopy is carefully crafted with embedded downlights, providing a warm and welcoming glow. The main decorative surface of the suspended façade box, is an experimental “Chemical Reaction” – It’s a rich blend of the four colors projected by the linear RGBW fixtures. It flows and meets the original red glass, as it finally pours out into the unknown.
The Landscape illumination is conceptualized by lamps with distinct forms from funny to architectural, according to their position and functions. Their consistent red colors echo the architectural theme and unifies the landscape furthermore, by diffusing a 3000K wave of landscape illumination throughout the place.
Rotterdam Square lives up to its mission to challenge the urban realm and to sway people out of their daily routines. This can only be done by smart design and the introduction of a lively space, illuminated with intent, art and precision. Together it blends with the goal to provide a new visual field that linking urban growth, light and the emotions a city.
It’s an ultimate start of a new chapter, that when connected with the notions of childhood and the infinity potential for joy, can only spur growth and boundless freedom.
Lighting design started from 2016 and finished in 2018.