Chongqing is a city of layers—where staircases, bridges, and alleys intertwine to create a dynamic, multi-dimensional landscape. This vertical complexity, both intricate and captivating, shapes the way people move, explore, and connect. Amid this urban maze, the city’s iconic blue street signs stand out—vivid markers against a backdrop of concrete stairs and buildings, guiding people through the city.
Project Name: CapitaMall Skyview
Studio Name: CLOU architects
Location: Chongqing, China
Area: 100,000 sqm
Design Team: Jan Clostermann, Lin Li, Sebastian Loaiza, Xiaobin Cheng, Rentian Liu, Linyu Li, Jingyao Cheng, Christopher Biggin, Qiao Ding, Ning He, Yujie Jin, Linbei Huang
Photography: Archexist
Nestled within the vibrant Ranjiaba district, a prime location within Chongqing’s inner ring road, CapitaMall Skyview is envisioned as a community shopping centre and social hub, this 100,000-square-metre space caters to the rapidly evolving needs of local residents.
From edutainment experiences to a diverse range of retail offerings and culinary delights, CapitaMall Skyview offers a diverse blend of attractions. It’s a destination for leisurely weekend outings and a welcoming gathering place for evenings spent with family and friends.
Inspired by Chongqing’s cinematic qualities, CLOU reinterprets this unique spatial experience, inviting visitors to navigate a colourful, interconnected environment that feels like a natural extension of Chongqing’s streetscape. The striking contrast between the blue signs and their monochrome surroundings shapes the architectural identity of CapitaMall Skyview, blending urban nostalgia with contemporary vibrancy.
Interior DESIGN WITH A CINEMATIC journey
The interior design captures the cinematic essence of Chongqing’s streets, drawing from their dynamic textures and layered urban character. Through dynamic spaces and material selections, the atrium unfolds as a cinematic journey, blending street-inspired authenticity with a contemporary feel.
CLOU’s strategy for the interiors is to evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity by incorporating elements of Chongqing’s multi-layered urban landscape. Monochromatic sequences of plazas, streets, alleys, and bridges guide shoppers through the retail space, creating focal points and connecting the various levels.
Colour guides visitors through bright atriums, with lifts, bridges, and balconies linking different levels—creating a dynamic yet intuitive navigation system. Meanwhile, small shops, cafés, and kiosks along the walkways transform corridors and atriums into lively social spaces where people can meet, rest and enjoy.
Inspired by Chongqing’s vibrant urban spaces, the interior design infuses a blend of bold colours and street-inspired patterns. These elements not only create focal points along the mall but also serve as practical circulation paths. The distinctive design ensures that the mall is easily recognisable both in person and online, making it a distinctive destination for shoppers and visitors alike.
INTERIOR DESIGN as wayfinding
The shopping mall’s interior design itself acts as a subtle wayfinding system, using patterns, lines, and spatial rhythm to naturally guide people through the space. Floor textures, ceiling features, and lighting align to direct movement, making navigation intuitive even without signs. Because of this, the signage design is created to seamlessly complement the interior—visually and functionally—so that the entire environment feels cohesive and purposeful. Inspired by Chongqing’s street elements such as signage and plaza patterns, the system blends cultural character with modern clarity. Materials like Klein Blue, silver anodised stainless steel, and white aluminium create a recognisable and clear brand identity.
Typography is clean and easy to read, using Century Gothic for English and Noto Sans SC for Chinese. Each level is colour-coded—red for Level 1, yellow for Level 2, blue for Level 3—while basement levels remain neutral for clear contrast. The signage supports, rather than disrupts, the spatial flow, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience.
