7 Interesting Shopping Center Designs to Give You Inspiration

Shopping Centers, or malls, are the typical destination for the usual hangouts. More than being merely shopping centers, as they started out to be, now they have become complete entertainment centers with restaurants, cafés, movie theaters, arcade games, bowling alleys, skating rinks, and many other enjoyment venues. Shopping malls have become very common nowadays and to stand out, they need to present something different, which could be unprecedented facilities and services or unique architecture. The most remarkable part of the shopping mall is the atrium which usually doubles as a vast meeting point. A well-designed atrium adds to the grandiose of the experience and to the enjoyment of the mall visitors. Now, we will list to you some of the world’s most interesting shopping mall designs. Check them out and get inspired.

List of interesting Shopping Center Designs

1.Galaxy Soho – Beijing, China

photography by © Iwan Baan

The fluently connected volumes, inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, are the creation of Zaha Hadid Architects. The lower floors of the Galaxy Soho complex are dedicated to retail and entertainment facilities, while the restaurants and cafés are on the far top to enjoy the view. In between, there is office space for business practices.

2.MyZeal Shopping Mall – Frankfurt, Germany

photography by © Karsten Monnerjahn

This shopping mall is quite remarkable for its massive glass façade and dynamic atriums, shaped by the river-like exterior form with varying depths. The building is designed by Italian practice Studio Fuksas, based on geographical and topological references.

3.Namba Parks – Osaka, Japan

The captivating organic layout covered with lush greenery was Jerde Partnership’s attempt at creating a defining gateway for Osaka. The sloping green roofs provide an alternative outdoor circulation and refreshing gathering spaces. The curving open airstrip is surrounded by earth-toned wall cladding, giving the sense of an open-air ‘canyon’.

4.Westside Bruennen – Bern, Switzerland

photography by © Daniel Libeskind

The urban-scale project extending along the main highway of Bern is the work of Daniel Libeskind. The architecture of this mega project showcases the trademark features of the famous Polish-American architect, represented in the flying edges, sharp angles, and complicated yet interesting interior.

5.Tokyu Plaza Omotesando – Tokyo, Japan

photography by © Koji Fujii / Nacasa & Partners Inc.

Although the interior of this shopping mall in Harajuku, Tokyo, seems quite mediocre, the whimsical kaleidoscope mirror entrance more than makes up for it. The unusual playful entrance leaves a lasting impression, along with a rooftop terrace, with steps revolving around the skylight, surrounded by greenery; perfect for social gatherings on a sunny day. The project is designed by Hiroshi Nakamura and NAP Architects.

6.Paleet Shopping Center – Oslo, Norway

photography by © Einar Aslaksen

The shopping mall at the center of Oslo has been active since the 1990s. However, in 2014 it was revamped on a large scale and made into a contemporary lustrous piece of art. The renovated metallic interior features golden and coppery plates complemented by the cedar wall cladding. Yet, the most attractive feature of the interior is the suspended see-through metal grid, hovering above the atrium.

7.Parc Central – Guangzhou, China

photography by photography by © Einar Aslaksen

At first glance, you would think this is a stadium project, which is partly true. After all International architecture firm Benoy meant for Parc Central to be a ‘stadium for retail’. The grand retail center acts as its purifying lung as well as a major gathering space for the city. Refreshing greenery fills all the gaps between the flowing concrete forms that compromise Parc Central’s dynamic circulation.