DA Mall

One of our main design criteria was to create “DA” Shopping Mall to become a state-of–the-art leading architectural statements of one of Moscow’s rapidly developing regions. The building is located adjacent to a busy prime road junction of the M8 highway and Pionerskaya Street. Our new innovative concept is going to provide a benchmark for all retail developments in this region, while creating a brand new destination for families, children and adults.

The primary goal was to house a significant number of retail units and anchor stores adding key entertainment units,which all together would contribute to achieving the standards of a true Lifestyle Centre. A place for costumers to visit not only for the shopping experience but to spend their free time, relax and enjoy.

The enclosed mall will provide a mix of uses with a strong emphasis on fashion and offer a wide range of shops and stores operated by local and international retailers.

The combination of the dramatic central volume and the spacious shopping mall with lush landscaping, abundance of natural daylight, detailed signage programme together with the carefully selected materials, finishes and colours of the public spaces will create the total family shopping experience which will offer tenants a shoppers a unique balance of convenience and unique identity.

The mall is arranged between two main anchor stores (a hypermarket and household goods), creating a natural balance for retail circulation. The anchors are located in the opposite ends of the building while traditional gallery space is being stretched between the two incorporating atriums, various activity and relaxation zones. Parking is located on level 1 ground floor, while retail is arranged on level 2 and 3. The Centre features two main entrances, while a third entrance was requested to be omitted by the Investors. The entrances are featuring a grand scale space where escalators and stairs provide access to the retail levels.

The central two level massing created a unique triangular floor plan layout which we called “the heart”. This main component of the architectural and retail concept is enclosed by a two level gallery and the central food court. Bridges are providing access to the cinemas and various entertainment areas. The main atrium is carefully located in the expanding void originated from the trajectories of the flowing circulation from the entrances, ideally positioned in the focal point of the whole building. It features an elegant roof light structure which floods the interiors with natural light and bright spacious feeling. It contains a public piazza, water feature, event space with a stage, and various types of seating, café and lounge areas.

The first level of the “heart” is the most exposed area for retail therefore it should contain the most exclusive, quality brands in the whole Mall.   The upper level accommodates the food court, which is ideally linked as an extension of the main atrium space. It features unique ceiling disks with integrated lighting.

According to the requirements set by the Investors, we also arranged a double-height exhibition space above the right main entrance. This place can not only house various exhibitions or function as an art gallery but it is also perfect for private events as flexible conference space for hire.

Dynamic architectural geometry extends the main atrium space in the opposite direction to the food court. A unique atmosphere for the ice rink is created identifying various zones of use while a continuous light strip is linking these spaces together.

It is essential that an exciting architectural form is built counterbalancing the elongated façade geometry. As a primary goal, the current design focuses to deliver a clear message of quality and excitement to the public. When designing the exteriors and interior wall surfaces our aim was to highlight elegant clear architectural forms with sophisticated simplicity. We were careful to avoid selfish, self-celebrating architectural expressions, while emphasizing a functional design which can be delivered on budget. One of the main materials used in this building is the laminated timber effect composite cladding of the “heart”, which complies with fire resistant requirements and can also be used on external surfaces. The white ribbon-like frame provides clear zones for signage and advertising panels, while continuing into the interior space it becomes part of the main structure supporting the atrium roof.

Traditionally, Shopping Centres tend to be expressed as a series of box type forms that are adorned with signage. But the concept for DA Shopping Centre is to create an ever-changing movement in the facades which provides a memorable and unique building form.