Ron Arad Architects were invited by Wilhelm & Co to design a new shopping mall within the 40,000m2 ‘Media-cite’ development. Situated in Liege, once the world’s foremost center of steel production and since in economic decline, the building stands out as a symbol of the city’s revitalization and strives to spearhead the city’s regeneration.
The 350m long mall weaves through the fabric of the refurbished old market center at one end, through the new two levels building, connecting to the new Belgian national television center at the other. The design of the roof unites these elements with a complex network of steel roof ribs that undulate through the mall. The lattice of steel sculpts the volume of the mall beneath, varying both in height and structural depth to form a variety of differing experiences. The steel ribs overhead, mirrored in the floor pattern, draw a sinuous pathway pulling you towards and through each of the zones, revealing diverse vistas that surprise along the way. As the structure exits the volume of the main building (at the 2 Piazzas and at the link between the old market and new mall) the steel ribs wrap downwards, merging into facade to enclose the building’s envelope.
The structure is entirely free-spanning along its length and width, with 200mm wide steel ribs that vary in depth from 1.2m to 300mm, weaving through each other in a deformed grid-like network. To minimize loadings the complex 3 dimensional form is clad in transparent lightweight ETFE pillows – pneumatic Teflon cushions which allow light to penetrate the roof while molding themselves to the irregular structure. As the roof gradually transforms into facade the ETFE cladding merges into curved aluminum rain-screen panels and glass.
The project was completed to a highly accelerated program, with a duration of only 34 months from inception to completion. The total built area for the Mall is 9750m2. With a construction budget of €18.75m the project was delivered for €1920/m2. Construction began in April 2007 and the building was inaugurated in October 2009.
