SHOPPINGCENTRE architecture + landscape + town planning + design + graphic design
Stockholm
Oslo
ÅRSTIDERNE ARCHITECTS From the day Årstiderne Architects produced its first drawing more than 20 years ago we have been challenging ourselves and our clients with a simple question: What constitutes good architecture? It is our belief that unique design is shaped by curiosity. By an eternal search for new ways of doing things. For new methods and new forms of expression.
Randers
Herning
Silkeborg
At the same time, our solutions are based on some of the values, which for generations have shaped Scandinavia’s unique architectural traditions. Such as sustainable design that will outlast the next change in fashion. Such as light, used to generate space and vitality. And then there’s aesthetics and functionality, which in well thought-out symbiosis result in buildings that are pleasing to the eye and a pleasure to use. In addition to this comes our sharp focus on the financial, technical, legal and social aspects of each individual assignment. Awareness that guarantees holistic solutions. Value for money.
Copenhagen
Odense Årstiderne Our office inArkitekters Stockholmtegnestue i Stockholm
Innovation is one of the most important incentives at Årstiderne Architects. Innovation in our processes. Innovation in design. Innovation in our choice of materials. One result of this is that we are now among the Nordic leaders in digital construction and 3D design. And what you will probably find even more interesting, we can offer our clients quality buildings up to ten per cent quicker and less expensive. Our palette of expertise includes building architecture, design, graphic design, urban planning, landscape planning and sustainability. Our approach to assignments is conceptual and wherever possible, we explore the cross field between the areas in which the process will be most dynamic – and the result most unique. Today, Årstiderne Architects is one of Denmark’s largest firms of architects. We have 170 staff at six divisions in Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
Analysis
Product
Sales material
Graphic profile
Design manual
Ă…rstiderne Architects have carried out many different types of assignment for the retail trade over the years, including conversions, new buildings, layout and graphic profiling. Our range of competences is therefore just as wide as our interest in the industry is great.
Facades
Plan arrangements
Mix of shops
Customer flow
Target group
Locality and facts
Visions and goals
WORK PROCESS
Regardless of the scope of an assignment, or whether it involves a new build or the conversion of a shopping centre, our approach to the task will always be holistic. The process will always be an individual one, based on the characteristics of the individual task. The common denominator, on the other hand, is that we
in every instance purposefully aim to develop the centre with a unique form of architectural expression and its own characteristic design. Concept development and analysis are two essential factors of the way we work. It is our conviction that the best centre environments are created on the basis of local anchoring, which enables us, by means of professional analysis, to find just the right correlation between the target group and the architectural form of expression and design. As a result we are able to create a good platform for the subsequent outlining phase, of which creativity is the crux.
VISIONS AND GOALS
LOCALITY AND FACTS
The first phase of the work process is to establish a strategy for the assignment based on the client’s requirements. In order to give the architects and the client and unambiguous shared sighting point and to create joint ownership of the assignment, we formulate in this context both a vision and a specific objective. Both of these focus on the work process, the development of the scheme and the actual content of the finished solution.
To Ă…rstiderne Architects local anchoring is an important success criterion when developing new shopping centres. For this reason, our analysis also focuses on gathering the knowledge we need to help strengthen the local environment and to ensure that our solution caters for both present and future target groups. In order to establish the best possible foundation for subsequent phases of the job, we always carry out our own analyses of the given locality. In addition to this we also draw on any other analyses and material that may be available relating to the project area. Overall, this means that our work on the design of the new shopping centre rests on the broadest possible basis, both local market analyses and more extensive analyses of consumer trends and consumer behaviour.
TARGET GROUP
CUSTOMER FLOW
Age, shopping habits, geography, sex, economy. Shopping centre customers can be categorised in terms of many different parameters, in addition to which different customers will have very different reasons for visiting the centre. Some of them come to shop. Others are looking for inspiration. While for others still, the social aspects of visiting a shopping centre are paramount.
Shopping centres are rather like websites. If customers cannot navigate their way around them intuitively and effortlessly they simply stay away. Logistically sound layout is therefore key when we are planning a new shopping centre.
All these different parameters are included in our considerations as we seek by means of conceptual, architectural and functional solutions to cater for the needs of one or the other target group, which the client expects – and wants to see in his new shopping centre.
Flow diagram for the new organization of Stavanger Storsenter.
At the same time, there is no escaping the fact that customers’ sense of well-being and how much they buy are closely related to the physical environment that surrounds them. The better they feel the better the bottom line. It’s as simple as that. For this reason we make active use of flow diagrams to examine any existing flow situation – and to ensure that the future flow of customers through the centre will be as smooth as possible.
MIX OF SHOPS
PLAN ARRANGEMENTS
Creating a holistic concept involves many parameters, major and minor. One of these is to achieve an optimum mix of shops. This mix, together with the buildings and common areas, gives the centre the desired profile and creates cohesion for the customers and staff.
Ă…rstiderne Architects offer to produce plan arrangements for shopping centres, which are customised to the needs of both customers and shops. And make no mistake; this discipline requires considerable insight and experience if the solution is ultimately to transform visions, requirements and facts into concrete results. Also the kind measured in pounds and pence.
In this connection, Ă…rstiderne Architects screens the market for appropriate tendencies and brands. The focus on the overall conceptual composition of the shops thus constitutes an essential component of our consultancy.
The plans are drawn up during the outlining phase and are adjusted as the project develops. Our architects therefore regard the plans as a tool that is under constant development from the initial stages of the project up until the time the building is ready for occupation. In addition to this we draw up the plans so that they can readily be presented to e.g. the centre’s shops, local authorities, contractors and others.
FACADES
DESIGN MANUAL
We develop innovative solutions based on the plan arrangements we have prepared. The objective of such solutions is always to underpin the centre’s character while at the same time maintaining harmony with its surroundings.
Årstiderne Architects have prepared design manuals for several major shopping centre projects, both new builds and conversions. These present furniture, other inventory and design-related initiatives that can help give the centre’s common areas character and create a distinctive identity.
A natural constituent of our holistic approach to projects is to examine the façade’s interplay with the interior environment of the centre and surrounding spaces. When the mission is complete the centre’s exterior will thus reflect its other functions and its aesthetics.
The design manual is an essential management document because it contains guidelines the centre’s tenants. It simplifies the individual shops’ task of agreeing on a centre, the environment of which is not only attractive and stimulating but also harmonises with its overall profile. The content of a design manual varies from one client to another, but will usually cover subjects such as colour ranges, furniture and material combinations, proposed indoor and outdoor lighting, possible activities, etc.
GRAPHIC PROFILE
SALES MATERIAL
Årstiderne Architects’ design expertise covers a wide field. Several centres have exploited the opportunity to have a new centre logo designed or even a complete graphic identity.
It is one thing to build a stimulating, aesthetically pleasing and functional shopping centre. Getting it sold or the spaces rented out is something different entirely.
In principle, our solutions can embrace the entire palette, from TV commercials to magazine adverts, web solutions, SMS text adverts, etc.
But who comes closest of all to this process and the parameters that must arouse interest and produce results? It is the architect who knows the centre’s very soul. Apart from the core product we therefore offer to produce the necessary presentation material. With layout and façade solutions, 3D visualisations, concept descriptions and more.
REFERENCES
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ODENSE SHOPPING CENTRE Construction of a new shopping centre in Odense for opus In progress 2008 Odense | Denmark
BUSKERUD SHOPPING CENTRE Expansion and rebuilding of shopping centre In progress 2007 Krokstadelva | Norway
Buskerud shopping centre
SVENDBORG CITY CENTRE Rebuilding of centre In progress 2008 Svendborg | Denmark
Svendborg city centre
STOVNER CENTRE Shopping centre Expected rebuilt before 2012 Stovner | Norway
HUMLEBÆK CENTRE Centre and apartments Sketch proposal 2008 Humlebæk | Denmark
March 2009 Graphic work | Årstiderne Arkitekter Photo | Årstiderne Arkitekter
www.aarstiderne.dk
DENMARK Silkeborg
Papirfabrikken 24 DK-8600 Silkeborg T +45 7024 1000 Randers
Viborgvej 92 Skybox 2 DK-8900 Randers T +45 7024 1026 Herning
Dalgasgade 11 DK-7400 Herning T +45 9722 4227 Odense
Rugårdsvej 5 DK-5000 Odense C T +45 7024 2300
NORWAY Oslo
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Jordeshagen 7 NO-3540 Nesbyen T +47 3207 6760 SWEDEN Stockholm
Copenhagen
Ravnsborg Tværgade 5c, 3. sal DK-2200 København N T +45 7024 2100
Svarvargatan 11 1tr S-112 49 Stockholm T +46 (0) 732 30 69 39 T +46 (0) 732 30 69 21