Kumsmall

01. The Challenge and The Fundamental approaches

We were commissioned to design the interior landscape of an exceptionally large shopping center, just weeks before its grand opening.

Since the buildings and structural construction were already complete, we had limited flexibility in altering the architectural layout.
As a result, our entire design had to rely on freestanding planter systems to define and soften the indoor environment.

Despite these constraints, we created vibrant and inviting green zones using a strategic arrangement of custom planters, allowing for the integration of nature within the built environment—without any need for permanent installations.

The shopping center featured immense, open interior spaces that, while impressive in scale, initially felt cold and impersonal.
Our goal was to use plant life strategically to transform these expansive zones into warmer, more welcoming environments.

Through carefully selected planters and greenery, we softened the architectural lines and introduced natural textures, helping visitors feel more connected, calm, and comfortable within the commercial setting.

‍

02. The implementations and The Solution

The shopping center was composed of four expansive plazas and four primary corridors, all similar in layout and retail frontage. To create visual distinction and orientation within this large, uniform space, we implemented a strategic planter concept.

Each main corridor featured planters in a dedicated color palette, while each plaza area showcased a unique planter design and form language.
This allowed us to establish subtle but effective visual cues—helping visitors navigate intuitively while also creating variety and focal points in an otherwise repetitive spatial layout.

In this way, the planters served not only as green elements, but also as a wayfinding tool and design language, reinforcing a sense of identity and direction throughout the center.

• The shopping center included four main long corridors, each with high ceilings and wide pedestrian flow.
  To activate these linear spaces and avoid visual monotony, we used Lechuza self-watering smart planters in bold, differentiated colors—assigning a unique color to each corridor for orientation and subtle identity.
• Given the building’s significant ceiling height, we selected tall-profile planters to better match the scale of the space. To preserve visibility of storefronts, the planters were positioned along edges and inactive walls, rather than blocking active retail façades.
• All plants were carefully chosen for their shade tolerance and indoor adaptability, ensuring long-term sustainability and visual consistency throughout the corridors.
• In each of the four central plazas, we created distinct planting compositions using custom-designed planters tailored specifically for the space.
  Due to the grand scale, width, and vertical height of these areas, we developed our own planter designs—adjusting their size, shape, and proportion to match the architectural context.
• These plazas were envisioned not only as interior landscape zones, but also as inviting rest areas for visitors.
  Our intention was to soften the overwhelming presence of concrete and transform these hard-surfaced spaces into natural oases of calm and comfort within the heart of the shopping center.
• In the plaza areas, we intentionally chose to use white planters as a way to visually brighten the space.
  The interior of the shopping center has limited natural light, and although artificial lighting is present, the atmosphere remains relatively enclosed and dim.
• We believed that white planters, in addition to the lighting design, would help reflect light and create a more open, fresh, and airy visual effect—making the environment feel more welcoming and uplifting for visitors.
• ‍

03. The Result

Our design analysis and proposals were very well received by the project stakeholders, and the final result is something we are genuinely proud of.
It became a landscape that reflects exactly what we envisioned: open, elegant, and as green as possible, even within the limits of an enclosed commercial interior.

The project successfully balanced function, aesthetics, and atmosphere, offering a refreshing and sophisticated experience to everyone who visits the space.

‍