This is a project by ATP Architects and Engineers and it is located at Vöcklabruck, Austria. Project's program: Shopping centre with 80 shops, 1,900 parking spaces, 500 m2 children's play area. There are ten images for Varena Shopping Center.
A Summer Retreat ("Colourful Shopping in Lakeland")
The Salzkammergut, the traditional, tourist lakeland to the east of Salzburg gained a new attraction in August 2010 with the opening of the colourful shopping world of Varena, a project from SES Spar European Shopping Centers:
Varena, which was for some time the largest building site between Vienna and Munich was conceived with sustainability in mind – just like ATRIO in Villach which has received a number of international awards for sustainability and was also designed by ATP Architects and Engineers.
Varena is highly economical in terms of energy consumption and makes much use of recyclable materials. In addition to this, the technical systems guarantee a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions in comparison with similar projects which use normal technology.
Like ATRIO, Varena is a shopping centre which seeks to architecturally interpret a regional characteristic. But while ATRIO addresses the three-country theme of Carinthia/Slovenia/Italy, Varena reacts to the regional context with its “Salzkammergut - A Summer Retreat” theme and with the numerous related attractions which are on offer to visitors.
Interest is first awakened by the sophisticated “canvas sail”façade which appears to have been woven by hand and which absorbs the mood of the shimmering, clear and colourful lakeside landscape (and of the life inside the shopping centre) and playfully reflects the light of the sky.
The elegant, sophisticatedly organised - both functionally and emotionally - interior of the shopping centre offers visitors a highly varied set of experiences. The 80 Shops which occupy the 32,000m2 of lettable space merge into a “sensually feminine interior form, which breathes, expands, creates spaces and invites visitors to linger” (Architect Andrei Florian, ATP Innsbruck).
The themes of leisure and nature – of a space for relaxing well away from daily worries - run through the architectural concept: This is a classic summer retreat for 365 days a year.