In ancient civilizations, markets existed as places for the exchange and sale of various goods, serving as designated venues where sellers and buyers could meet.
Markets were used to sell food, clothing, and other simple goods. A hundred years ago in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, a new type of market was invented: the shopping mall. In its most modern form.
A “mall” can also contain entertainment, service, cultural, and health facilities, saving shoppers and buyers time and effort by displaying a variety of goods in a single space that encompasses them all.
The “mall” displays a wide range of products with different features, prices, and styles, all presented in one place for shoppers to browse through, thus ensuring an abundance of options and a wide range of choices to suit their needs—one of the most important features of modern markets and shopping centers.
A shopping mall not only accommodates clothing and food stores, but also brings together a wide variety of activities in one place, making it a unique attraction, so the mall has become a destination for every family to spend the day and enjoy its many services while also being able to purchase household necessities.
The design of a “mall” must take into account certain architectural elements, including:
Treating the project as a single architectural complex with several main entrances.
Incorporating the project’s various elements, which are optimally distributed.
The necessity of a parking garage, with attention to lighting—whether natural or artificial—as well as adequate ventilation.
Security considerations in the event of a rapid evacuation to ensure the safety of visitors.
Architectural Elements
Entrances must convey grandeur and luxury, as they serve as a transitional area from the exterior to the interior, with attention to landscaping and plant diversity.
Signage: To guide visitors to their destination clearly and easily.
Shopping corridors: These must be designed to provide visitors with an enjoyable shopping experience; therefore, the length of any single corridor must not exceed 250 meters.
Vertical circulation elements: Stairs, escalators, and elevators should be grouped near the main entrance so that visitors can see as many of the mall’s exhibits as possible across its multiple floors.
Sami Abdulaziz
Real estate expert
