Gone were the days when SM Malls were jeered as buildings that look like “shoe boxes” — a pun originated from mall chain’s beginnings, which was the sale of shoes by its founder, tycoon Henry Sy, Sr. The company has tapped international architect firms to redesign the country’s largest mall chain. In a chance interview, Jose T. Sio, SM Investments Corp. chief financial officer, said that company obtained the services of Australian and Japanese architects to give a fresh look to its malls. “There will be more renovations to keep up with the time,” Mr. Sio said. “Every mall has its own design and budget.” He said that the company wants to veer away from the “boxy” design and experiment with other hues from the trademark “blue.” “You can see other SM Malls having shades of yellow, for instance. It’s mainly keeping up with the times,” Mr. Sio said, noting that the renovation is “not too expensive.”