The studio UPI-2M was engaged to design a new modern and unconventional commercial complex within the suburban city area, that, according to new master-plan, is becoming the new centre of the city – the complex is situated next to the recently built multipurpose hall Arena Zagreb which is connected with the complex by three pedestrian ramps and a brand new public square. The complex and the hall generated a significant contribution to urbanity and development of the neglected and undeveloped city area. All this was a very challenging, but at the same time, delivered a strong responsibility for architects to design a creative, attractive and functional space around the complex. A different approach in working out this project conceived the idea of having a modern and unique outdoor landscape, instead of very usual environment that shopping centres have: a common view on a grand parking lot. A well arranged and designed landscape made a great contribution in originality, functionality and came as an added value of the whole area. Arena Center’ is the first commercial complex in Croatia and in Europe, equipped with advanced technologies for people with special needs - partly sighted or deaf people – that includes acoustic signalization in elevators, informational brochures with relief layouts accessible at specialized informational stands, checkpoints, line guides on the floor to ease the motion of partly sighted people and with other features for people with special needs. The building is organised in several parts: shopping area, gastronomy units such as cafés, restaurants and fast food, the entertainment area, business and storage rooms with garage and parking lot and technical rooms. ‘Arena Canter’ is built on 3 floors (ground floor + 1st floor + 2nd floor) and underground garage. The ground floor is mostly occupied with shopping mall which is organised to surround the gallery that goes through both floors of shopping area. The gallery can be approached from the main entrance on north-east part and two other entrances - one on western and other on northern side. The southern part of ground floor is reserved for the hypermarket with organised delivery and supplying system from the partly covered supplying yard. The second floor is organised in entertainment and gastronomy contents, such as multiplex Cine Star, bowling alley, restaurants & cafés and part of the mechanical facilities with boiler room. Parking area exists as the underground garage and parking lot above ground located on eastern and western side of the hypermarket, connected with access ramps which already are part of the building. In creating this project, we tried to move away from the usual concept of shopping centres in several elements: the idea of the external design, we wanted a constant visual dynamic facade – display because of its layers exactly acting so. Playing with lines and stainless steel mesh visual experience of the building is constantly changing, particularly from the dynamic perspective of a car which gives a feeling as if facade is moving... by night, the same effect is achieved thanks to the finely dispersed LED lighting.

Also, the general idea was to present the variety of outdoor space in all segments. The landscape design embodies many different elements and is truly a multifunctional. A newly formed public square with a public pedestrian cross-road is connecting 3 public pedestrian ramps coming from the multipurpose hall with the shopping complex and residential part of city area. Each ramp has implemented various elements of urban equipment and enriched with selected greenness: Northern ramp is adjusted for disabled – it has a long balustrade alight with led indoor lighting; it creates the impression of path (downwards) that shows the direction towards the commercial complex. The central ramp is covered by green islands with teak-wood thin baulks implemented, and pampas grass which together create an ambient effect of warmness. The south ramp is fenced by metal frames with slots LED lighting implemented. The northern and southern ramp is framed with jardinières with various sorts of low trees that make a combination of colours, forms and odours (Japanese cherry tree, Sorbus aucuparia and Acer palmatum “Fireglow”). Diverse vegetation and flower gardens has been chosen by the criterion that provides a visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile experience for visitors. Flowers and trees are following a concept of living and active environment and are selected by its representativeness of the particular season: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Modern urban equipment is carefully arranged around the building - the simple and clean lines made by the Croatian product designers’ are corresponding with functionality requirements as well as with offered aesthetical criteria. Waste bins and designers’ produced benches are well balanced in order to avoid accumulation of waste and to provide visitors the possibility of relaxation throughout the city environment. Pets’ friendly zones and cycling paths go all around the complex; parking stands for bikes in front of the three main entrances are provided. Pavement of the square comes in natural coloured concrete with skew joints, which in combination with vivid colours, different materials and structures reminds of the colourful floral meadow. Also, creative concrete is visible in a form of two-sized huge organic colourful flowers which are monolithically constructed. Occasionally the flower gets a third dimension and becomes a bench with installed LED lighting. At some places the pavement rises in colourful concrete hill for children play. The central entrance offers a pavement in a form of big water jets enhanced with rgb LED illumination – it also serves for children’s play and gets especially attractive in the night for its colorful lights that acts like an active element in open space. Four huge artistic sculptures located on different plateaus have symbolic meaning and come as “guardians” of the complex and its visitors, and of course can use for children’s’ play. They are product of young academic Croatian sculptors. The unusual didactic children's playground consists also of reliefs, oval grassy hills with depressions, piano wooden, hill of tartan that serves as a playground with no danger of cars, 3 didactic walls - funny mirror, school board with chalks for drawing and a colorful concrete wall with holes for wriggling. A highlight of the playground is a spiral amphitheater for the children with sand floor than during the winter can easily be transformed into an ice rink. The trails and sensory for the visually impaired are provided – come in form of tactile map towards to each entrance to the complex and connected to a bus stop. Shuttle bus with regular daily lines is provided as well as drop-off zones that enable direct car access in front of two entrances to a complex. Besides, the unconventional outdoor illumination makes this place a unique environment: interpolation of various light effects and idea of "the place with the story," revive the imaginative lighting with the aim of leaving a strong atmospheric impression on the visitors. Environment is divided into zones with striking lighting fixtures and lamps of unusual shapes (“alien” lamp), then intimate lighting installed in the space of children's park forms a story reminiscent of the small amphitheater, then “living room” lamps etc. Also, functionality of the illumination is fully achieved: located on the promenade between the northern and eastern entrances: emergency lighting of roads and parking lots, then the decorative lighting hidden in the groove, the floor, handrails in order to emphasizes the building itself and the path of movement and urban, multi-layered facade of Arena Centar itself enough light, and the environment is complemented by a set and make a separate light story as well as complete the story of the playful, flexible, creative lighting. Synergy of implemented landscape elements with many charming cafés and facilities offers a comfortable and pleasant place.