architecture + landscape + town planning + design + graphic design

SHOPPINGCENTRE

Årstiderne Arkitekters tegnestue i StockholmOur office in Stockholm

ÅRSTIDERNE ARCHITECTSFrom 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.

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.

Innovation is one of the most important incen-tives 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.Herning

Silkeborg

Odense

Copenhagen

Randers

Oslo

Stockholm

Årstiderne Architects have carried out many different types of assignment for the retail trade over the years, including conversions, new buil-dings, layout and graphic profiling. Our range of competences is therefore just as wide as our interest in the industry is great.

Regardless of the scope of an assignment, or whether it involves a new build or the con-version 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 com-mon 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 es-sential factors of the way we work. It is our con-viction 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.

WORK PROCESS

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To Årstiderne Architects local anchoring is an im-portant 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 founda-tion 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 shop-ping centre rests on the broadest possible basis, both local market analyses and more extensive analyses of consumer trends and consumer behaviour.

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 ar-chitects 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 develop-ment of the scheme and the actual content of the finished solution.

VISIONS AND GOALS LOCALITY AND FACTS

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.

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.

CUSTOMER FLOW TARGET GROUPAge, shopping habits, geography, sex, economy. Shopping centre customers can be categorised in terms of many different parameters, in addi-tion to which different customers will have very different reasons for visiting the centre. Some of them come to shop. Others are looking for inspi-ration. While for others still, the social aspects of visiting a shopping centre are paramount.

All these different parameters are included in our considerations as we seek by means of con-ceptual, 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.

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.

In this connection, Årstiderne 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.

MIX OF SHOPSÅrstiderne 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, re-quirements and facts into concrete results. Also the kind measured in pounds and pence.

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.

PLAN ARRANGEMENTS

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.

A natural constituent of our holistic approach to projects is to examine the façade’s interplay with the interior environment of the centre and sur-rounding spaces. When the mission is complete the centre’s exterior will thus reflect its other functions and its aesthetics.

FACADESÅrstiderne Architects have prepared design ma-nuals for several major shopping centre projects, both new builds and conversions. These present furniture, other inventory and design-related ini-tiatives that can help give the centre’s common areas character and create a distinctive identity.

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.

DESIGN MANUAL

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.

In principle, our solutions can embrace the entire palette, from TV commercials to magazine adverts, web solutions, SMS text adverts, etc.

GRAPHIC PROFILEIt is one thing to build a stimulating, aestheti-cally pleasing and functional shopping centre. Getting it sold or the spaces rented out is something different entirely.

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.

SALES MATERIAL

REFERENCES »

ODENSE SHOPPING CENTREConstruction of a new shopping centre in Odense for opusIn progress 2008Odense | Denmark

BUSKERUD SHOPPING CENTREExpansion and rebuilding of shopping centreIn progress 2007Krokstadelva | Norway

Buskerud shopping centre

SVENDBORG CITY CENTRERebuilding of centreIn progress 2008Svendborg | Denmark

Svendborg city centre

STOVNER CENTREShopping centreExpected rebuilt before 2012Stovner | Norway

HUMLEBÆK CENTRECentre and apartments Sketch proposal 2008Humlebæk | Denmark

March 2009Graphic work | Årstiderne Arkitekter Photo | Årstiderne Arkitekter

www.aarstiderne.dk

DENMARK

Silkeborg

Papirfabrikken 24 DK-8600 SilkeborgT +45 7024 1000

Randers

Viborgvej 92Skybox 2DK-8900 RandersT +45 7024 1026

Herning

Dalgasgade 11DK-7400 HerningT +45 9722 4227

Odense

Rugårdsvej 5 DK-5000 Odense CT +45 7024 2300

Copenhagen

Ravnsborg Tværgade 5c, 3. sal DK-2200 København NT +45 7024 2100

NORWAY

Oslo

Hegdehaugsveien 24NO-0352 OsloT +47 2206 6180

Nesbyen

Jordeshagen 7 NO-3540 Nesbyen T +47 3207 6760

SWEDEN

Stockholm

Svarvargatan 11 1tr S-112 49 StockholmT +46 (0) 732 30 69 39 T +46 (0) 732 30 69 21

www.aarstiderne.dk