A wave of movement above the city
In dense urban environments, space is a rare commodity, especially space for movement, relaxation, and connection. But what if that space wasn’t found on the ground, but above our heads? What if rooftops weren’t reserved for HVAC units and utilities, but transformed into places for people to meet, move, and be inspired?
In Qingdao, China, that vision is already a reality. Atop the Wanda Plaza MixC shopping mall, a spectacular rooftop skatepark has been built, covering a massive 1,500 square meters. Designed by Within Beyond Studio, this is no bare concrete roof, but a flowing blue landscape where skateboarders, visitors and locals come together. A rooftop that shows, quite literally, that the future of healthy, movement-friendly cities is not beside us, but above us.
Skating in the sky
Qingdao, located on China’s east coast, is known for its maritime heritage. The ocean, the movement and the sense of freedom are all reflected in the design of the MixC rooftop skatepark. Its fluid lines mimic the waves of the sea and the vibrant blue surface seems to melt into the sky.
With a mix of skate bowls, seating areas and open spaces, the skatepark is far more than a sports facility. It is a fully fledged urban landscape, a place for movement, rest and social connection, rising above the city's fast-paced rhythm.
Smart collaboration: commercial meets public value
What makes this project particularly remarkable is that it was developed entirely from a commercial perspective. CR Land, the real estate developer behind the MixC complex, invested in the skatepark as part of a broader next-gen retail strategy: not just attracting shoppers, but offering a full lifestyle experience, combining movement, recreation and social encounters.
This is not your typical public-private partnership. It’s a bold example of how private developers can directly enhance a city’s quality of life, while also benefiting from it. An attractive rooftop draws more visitors, increases dwell time and transforms a shopping center into a vibrant social hub.
Why it matters?
Creating active, healthy cities requires more than green parks or sports fields at ground level. It demands smart, three-dimensional thinking. Rooftops are the forgotten layer of our cities, and the one with the most untapped potential.
Qingdao shows what’s possible:
✔ Combining aesthetic design with functional use ✔ Blending commercial objectives with social value ✔ Integrating movement, recreation, and human connection ✔ Reclaiming vertical space for urban health and vitality
"Skating on the roof shows: even in the busiest city, there is always room to move."
Technology and design that invites
The technical execution of the skate park is at least as impressive as its design. The entire structure rests on a sturdy steel frame with a concrete top layer, finished with a hard-wearing, solvent-free polyurethane coating. This high-quality finish ensures that the park can withstand Qingdao's salty, humid sea climate as well as intensive use by skateboarders.
Also striking are the white, spherical seating objects scattered across the roof. They subtly refer to foaming sea waves, offer places to rest and enhance the aesthetics of the roof.
Not residual space, but opportunity space
What is happening in Qingdao is no accident. More and more cities worldwide are discovering that roofs should no longer be seen as residual space spots for technical installations or empty concrete, but rather as opportunity spaces. High above the crowds, traffic and lack of space, there is literally an untapped layer of the city waiting.
Qingdao shows that this vision is not future music, but can already be a reality today. On top of a shopping centre, a roof has been transformed with guts and creativity into a vibrant place where sports, leisure and architecture come together.
And these opportunities do not only apply to metropolises in China or America. Here in Europe, too, thousands of square metres of flat roofs are waiting to be used intelligently. On business parks, on top of car parks, sports halls, schools or shopping centres.
With the right vision and cooperation, barren roofs can also be transformed into places that contribute to healthy, green and vital cities. Because who says the city stops at the roof? The real potential starts right above.
What if you dare to do this in your city?
Here, too, we know the space challenges. Especially in inner cities, business parks and around railway stations. At the same time, there are thousands of square metres of flat roofs waiting for smart infill.
Imagine: ✔ Skate parks on car parks and sports halls ✔ Green, exercise-friendly roofs on offices and distribution centres ✔ School roofs where children can play, move and relax ✔ Roofs that not only generate energy but also create social energy
With guts, cooperation and creativity, your rooftops can also transform from empty spaces into lively meeting places.
Marcel de Visser Co Founder Sports + Vitality