sordo madaleno unveils proposal for shopping mall refurbishment in the UAE

sordo madaleno arquitectos (SMA) has unveiled the proposal for the refurbishment of a shopping mall in the city of al-ain, in the united arab emirates (UAE). the proposal, which won second place in the international competition organized by real estate developer, cityland, offers a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional arab architecture within a built context that resembles one of the region’s eight oases. the entire project is housed under a modular roof that employs arches, forming the principal visual and construction element.renders by CG verón unless stated otherwise, all © sordo madaleno arquitectos

sordo madaleno arquitectos was runner-up in the international competition, which invited 20 architecture firms to submit their proposals for the renovation of an existing shopping mall in the al jimi district of the city of al-ain, near abu dhabi. thanks to its magnificent climate and location, the city, which is home to the eight oases of the region, has great opportunities for growth in urban issues and architectural development. SMA’s proposal enhances the contemporary form and concept of an oasis, as a place of refuge and relief from the city, while adding an art gallery to the architectural program.render by SMA

the proposal, which was developed under the responsibility of project leaders fabiano continanza and andrés muñoz, presents a complete rethinking of the existing mall. the structure is transformed into a complex, offering new experiences including exhibition spaces and terraces for socializing. the project also incorporates a cultural program into the range of activities on offer thanks to the art gallery at the heart of the complex.

the volumetry is generated by adopting the principal axes of the previous architecture, while a natural open space is proposed where these intersect, reproducing an oasis in form and concept. around this space, the commercial program is integrated into the whole complex by means of a three-story volume in the shape of a horseshoe. inside, sordo madaleno arquitectos has designed the passageways for the stores in linear fashion, with the purpose of creating midpoints that act as sites of encounter. within these open inner courtyards, a small-scale oasis is recreated by means of water channels (falaj) and native vegetation.

the entire project is housed within a geometry that reinterprets elements of traditional arab architecture, under a modular roof that employs arches. the roof, as the principal visual and construction element, is designed in line with climate control and architectural concepts from the region, including sustainable strategies for the comfort of users. an example of this is the perforations in the roof that cover the passive natural ventilation and lighting systems.render by SMArender by SMArender by SMArender by SMA

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project info:

name: al-ain

architect: sordo madaleno arquitectos

president: javier sordo madaleno bringas

architecture directors: javier sordo madaleno de haro, fernando sordo madaleno de haro

project leaders: fabiano continanza, andrés muñoz alarcón

client: cityland

program: shopping center, art gallery

construction area: 73,689 sqm

terrain area: 93,376 sqm

design date: 2018

status: competition

location: al-ain, united arab emirates

project managers: césar ivan saldivar de lira, luis alberto cabello pucheta

design team: gustavo omar gonzález muñoz, enrique ramírez arroyo, edgar beltrán navas, ricardo tovar quintero, marisol flores gonzález, maría fernanda pérez boeneker, rocío loring zubiria, juan carlos hernández flores

engineering consultant: WSP