The innovative rooftop park blends sky-inspired design with oceanic curves, redefining urban leisure spaces.
In Qingdao, China, a new architectural gem sits atop the Wanda Plaza Mall. Designed by local firm Within Beyond Studio, the Qingdao MixC Rooftop Skatepark transforms 1,500 square metres of rooftop into a sculptural and fluid space that mirrors both the sea and the sky.
The design draws direct inspiration from the city’s coastal landscape, seamlessly merging urban recreation with natural beauty. According to the studio, Qingdao’s breathtaking seaside scenery was the starting point for the project’s creative vision.
“We’ve cleverly merged business with skateboarding culture, recreating an ocean on the rooftop terrace of Wanda Plaza and establishing a fresh social platform for skateboarders,” the designers explained. “This dual activation — both in terms of spatial design and movement — energises the entire terrace.”
Wave-Like Bowls Meet Cloud-Like Shelters
The skatepark’s layout cleverly divides the space into two distinct zones. On one side, a series of wave-inspired skating bowls undulate across the surface, inviting skaters to ride the flowing curves. On the other, a flat open area sits beneath a collection of concrete spheres — a sculptural feature designed to resemble fluffy white clouds drifting overhead.
Both sections are unified by a striking floor design. A curving pattern in layered blue tones, created with a solvent-free polyurethane coating, ensures durability while evoking the ever-changing hues of the sea.
The structural system beneath the skatepark uses a steel frame combined with a concrete surface layer, a practical solution for distributing the additional weight across the mall’s rooftop.
Designing Flow for Skaters and Shoppers Alike
A subtle white metal balustrade frames the skatepark’s edges and leads to a gentle, curved staircase, which acts as both a seating area and a new pedestrian route between the two mall buildings. This thoughtful integration allows skaters and shoppers to move freely, blending sport and social life without disruption.
“Design-wise, the bowl adopts a pure, flowing curve, designed to mirror the graceful movement of waves and beams of light,” said the studio. “On one side of the plaza, a smooth, white spherical form mirrors the clouds in the sky, offering a minimalist contrast while providing a resting space for both skaters and visitors.”
A New Era for Urban Skate Spaces
The Qingdao MixC Rooftop Skatepark stands out as a fresh addition to a growing wave of creative skatepark designs worldwide. It joins the ranks of other innovative projects, such as Raphaël Zarka’s horseshoe-shaped skatepark outside the Centre Pompidou and the world’s first multi-storey skatepark in Folkestone, UK.
With its blend of natural motifs and urban function, Within Beyond Studio has crafted more than just a skatepark. It’s a new social landmark — one that reshapes how city spaces connect people, art, and athletic movement.
