MOKO mall in Mong Kok east gets a refreshing facelift. Christie Lee writes.
September 24th, 2015
Built in 1997, MOKO, or Grand Century Place as it was formerly called, used to house a children’s arcade, cinema and supermarket amongst others facilities. Located in Mong Kok east, MOKO benefited from its proximity to the Mong Kok KCR train station, yet was often seen as an inferior cousin to the swankier malls in the area.
Having lost most of its dynamism over the years, the property’s developer tasked Aedas with re-enlivening the tired-looking mall in 2009. Refurbishment work was done in eight phases, starting from the top at Level 5 in early 2010 down to the first retail level, which was completed earlier this year.
By making use of undulating contours, the existing circular atrium was enlarged in a bid to improve circulation, and to draw shoppers to the previously deserted northern part of the mall. Most of the escalators were kept, and a new pair of express escalators was added to direct traffic from the ground floor to the second retail level.
“This significantly alleviates the crowding problem on the first floor, where people always pass by on their way to and from the train station,” explains Ed Ng, Executive Director of Aedas. “It also optimises the commercial value of the retail floors above,” he adds.
Given that MOKO is located in a dense part of town, lighting, as well as spatial enhancement, was a major concern for the architects. Aedas addressed this by way of a new transparent curtain wall façade. Taking the shape of a diamond – a cheeky nod, perhaps, to the city’s consumerist culture – it allows sunlight to pour in by day, and diners to take in the dazzling night views while sipping on a cocktail by night.
To cater to the ever-sophisticated demands of cinemagoers, only four of the original eight cinema houses were kept, with the remaining transformed into IMAX cinemas.
Timber entrances bring life to the pristine white interiors, a sentiment further boosted by the indoor greenery, as well as motifs inspired by trees, leaves, petals, river, cloud and stars.
Aedas
aedas.com
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
The Australian Design Centre (ADC) this year celebrates 60 years! A series of events are coming up to mark the occasion.
Landing in the city’s financial district for the first time, The Sebel Sydney Martin Place has had its modern interiors completed by Stack Studio.