The KPF Associate Principal delivered “Non-Standard Answer – Future Trends in Commercial Design,” a presentation focused on the social appeal of public retail spaces.
The 2026 Shanghai International Architecture Festival revolved around a single theme: championing a new era of green and intelligent construction to build sustainable cities of the future. More than 100 leading international architects, Liangzi among them, joined scholars, civil servants, business owners, and technologists alike to discuss a future where professionals across fields work together to create more resilient buildings and cities.
In her keynote presentation, Liangzi shared insights on how public spaces can help retail projects maintain long-lasting appeal. She drew insights from KPF projects such as Yiwu Place, Huamu Lot 10 – The Summit, Asian Games Officials Village, and Covent Garden. These projects reflect KPF’s broader belief that the most enduring commercial spaces are those that prioritize human experience and community engagement.
The designs that Liangzi showcased speak directly to the festival’s sustainability agenda. By favoring walkable streets, mixed-use programming, and active public spaces over conventional inward-facing malls, these designs encourage pedestrian movement, reduce car dependency, and foster the kind of dense, human-centered urbanism that supports long-term environmental resilience. Liangzi presented KPF projects where social vitality and sustainability are not competing goals but are deeply intertwined.
