“Urban living in Istanbul takes place in its streets. They hold such pleasures, such wonder and interesting stories that make up the rich cultural history of the city. Deeply inspired by this, we wanted to see what would happen if we could turn the conventional shopping mall inside out and design all its public areas as ‘streets’, ‘plazas’ and ‘public squares’. Our aim is to create a vibrant and enjoyable destination that captures this spirit.” – DP Architects
Taking design inspiration from The Dubai Mall, Boulevardi Mall – with over 400 indoor and outdoor shops, restaurants, cafés and entertainment outlets spanning three levels below the ground and two levels above it – will be one of the largest in Istanbul.
The design team turns the shopping mall inside out and proposes a system of paths as ‘streets’ to connect its ‘plazas’ and ‘public squares’. The design for the mall – the key component of the entire Boulevardi development which comprises over 1,000 luxury homes, a 190 room five star hotel, a wide range of leisure facilities and offices – brings the various part of the master plan into a seamless whole.
As the name suggests, the circulation route of Boulevardi Mall on the ground incorporates the main pedestrian boulevard. The architecture and landscape design brings together contemporary aesthetics with traditional architectural proportions to create a richly textured urban environment that is friendly to the pedestrian shopper. At the core of the mall is a two-storey gourmet village inspired by Istanbul’s lively streetscapes. The large sunken plaza located in the centre of the boulevard creates a focal point of activity that connects shoppers above and below. It is a multi-purpose space that has outdoor dining around an interactive water feature, which can be transformed into an ice-skating rink in the winter.
The underground shopping area is organised in a continuous loop that passes through four retail zones themed after the seasons. The Spring Zone features ‘tree-top cafes’ and an open air courtyard for the food court, punctuated by a dramatic 12-metre ‘waterveil’. An aquarium forms the focus of the Summer Court, which takes its inspiration from the colours of the sun and the sea. A forest canopy inspired the spaces in the Autumn Gallery and the design of the Winter Corridor aims to capture the crystalline quality of the winter light.
Conceiving the shopping mall to be as meaningful and delightful as the lively streets in Istanbul, the design of Boulevardi Mall inspires visitors to rediscover the spirit of exploration and the joy of shopping.
