*리니어한 패턴이 만드는 상업공간 [ ARHIS ] Riga Plaza

장소성은 상업적공간에서 빼 놓을 수 없는 과제이다.
아이텐티한 장소를 만들어서 랜드마크 스페이스를 만드는 것은
퍼블릭 스페이스에 대한 심도있는 고민과 배려없이는 힘든 것이다.
사람들에게 장소를 제공한다는 것은 단순히 '쌈지형공원' 같이
공개공지를 내 놓은다고 해서 사람들이 모이는 것은 아니다.

그럼 무엇으로 여기 '리가 프라자'에 장소성을 부여 할 것인가?
거리의 중심이 될 수 있도록 하는 것, 그것은 거리생활과 생활공간 그리고 쇼핑공간을
단일화된 공간으로 디자인하는 것에서 부터 시작한다. 다양한 컬러와 패턴으로 디자인된 메탈패널을
하나의 밴드로 형상화하여 이것을 다시 2개층되는 쇼핑몰 전체를 하나로 감싸는 밴드로 디자인한다.
이 밴드는 지붕 일부분과 파사드를 하나로 구현하여 흩어져 있는 다양한 이미지와
패턴 그리고 생활의 스타일을 하나로 묶어주는 다이나믹한 활동공간으로 다시 태어난다.
이렇게 묶여진 공간의 형태는 새로운 장소성을 만들면서
사람들에게 퍼블릭 스페이스를 제공함으로써 사람들의 자연스러운 유입을 이끌게 된다.
굳이 드라마틱한 패턴과 디자인이 전부라고 생각하지는 않는다. 그 안에 숨겨진 디자인 철학과
건축적 해석이 이와 같은 새로운 공간을 만들어 내고 사람들에게 좋은 장소로써 인식하게 된다고 생각한다.
디자인은 어렵지만, 잘 해석한 디자인은 좋은 공간으로 많은 사람들에게 즐거움을 줄 수 있다.

reviewed by SJ

The design has been worked out by “Architectural Practice ARHIS” Ltd.

 The architectural part of the design was worked out by the following architects: Andris Kronbergs, Dace Gravere, Brigita Bula, Baiba Liepina, Vilnis Uzors, with involvement of arch. techn. Uldis Jaunsubrens, Kristaps Sulcs, Eriks Mikelsons.

 The following design offices have participated in the development of engineering solutions: Celmina construction office, J. Kalnins Engineering Office, Jensen Consult and ARHIS Engineers, Efiko, Voleks, Arttec, E. Danisevskis Office, Buki Zucker designers & architects, David Engineers Ltd., Kedmor Offir Ltd., Kotschy BT Ltd., ARHIS Consultants.

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The main functions of the building are commercial center, entertainment complex with the following main functional groups of the building:
- Different size and assortment commercial areas
- Supermarket
- Entertainment complex
- Multiplex cinema
- Catering complex 
- Multi-storey parking lot

Description of the current situation
    The land plot is located on the left bank of Daugava river besides one of the main streets of the city. The land plot relief is plain.

Site plan solution   
    Two-storey building volume forming a sharp angle in the plan occupies North-Northeast part of the land plot. The visitor parking lots are located on the ground level on South-Southwest sides of the building. Multi-storey parking lot is located on Southwest part. Delivery and household year is formed on the Northern side of the building. 
    The main entrances to the building are formed at three most significant points of the building – corner part of the building that faces towards the main street; corner part of the building that faces the main access road to the territory; the building area which is close to multi-storey parking lot.
    Commonly active elements with decorative-informative purpose are places in the areas next to main entrances – flag poles, information signs, advertising stands, benches, bicycle parking stands, as well as taxi parking lots and special parking lots for vehicles of disabled people.
    All territory is greened and landscaped.

Architecture:
Spatial solution
    The spatial solution foresees creation of a two-storey building volume with horizontal roof and facade in a single dynamically bent ribbon-like form. The active facade image expresses the dynamic nature of the spot (direct proximity to Island bridge and transport sections) and it is basically perceived from distant and dynamic points of perception. The dynamics of the building façade are reinforced by use of multi-coloured metal clusters. The roof form has a special meaning being easily perceived from distant viewing points. 
    The multi-storey parking takes a form of a 3-storey building body with reinforced concrete facade.

Functional solution
    The commercial and entertainment complex is formed as a single building volume on two stories with internal two-level shopping street along the longitudinal direction. Commercial, recreational and entertainment objects of different nature and area are adjacent to the main axis – “the central street”.  Direct connection to the multi-storey parking lot is made at level +6.000.  The largest functional object – hypermarket – is located at the North end of the building. Multiplex cinema is located above the hypermarket.  On the second floor of the Eastern part of the building there is an entertainment complex. The first and the second floors are interconnected by elevators, escalators and stairs.

Facade solutions
    Basically the facade is made as a single architectural form based on the idea of a national waist-belt. On the whole the facade forms a common ribbon-like composition around the building volume, which is seemingly elevated at the places of main entrances thus forming the three main entrance sections. The facade finishing is made out of dense and perforated multi-colour cassette-type panels aligned into bands, increasing the building dynamics on the whole. During the dark time of the day these dynamics are reinforced by the luminaries placed behind the perforated panels.
    The entrance door areas within the façade are formed as glazed facade systems with sliding and revolving entrance doors. 

Main interior principles
    The interior is based on 4 main elements:
- The floor of the public area is made like a natural or artificial stone plate layer with special pattern.
- The ceilings of the public area form a special atmosphere of the room together with the natural overhead light.
- The location of glazed commercial facades of the stores and advertising sign areas.
- The location of the stair and opening aisles within the steel and glass structures.


from  architizer