With the Mondeal Retail Park, Blocher Blocher India Pvt. Ltd. designed an outstanding ensemble of landmark buildings in one of the most exclusive areas of Ahmedabad. Located at S. G. Highway, this exceptional shopping centre was built on three levels, housing retailers, services and restaurants. There also is ample parking space, truly a luxury in this modern era.
After the first retail boom - reflected in the upcoming of uncountable shopping malls - has started to fade, Ahmedabad witnesses retail in a brand new dimension: the Mondeal Retail Park, which houses the top of premium brands. Blocher Blocher India provided the building ensemble with an absolutely original and beautiful façade. The outstanding surface of exposed concrete, which shimmers in variations of beige in the Indian sun, is segmented into thin, horizontal grades. By doing so, the building appears to be filigree despite its monolithic cubature. At the same time, gleaming glass elements harmonically emphasise the rhythm of the façade and convey a gesture of welcome.
For the architects, the design phase started with a basic idea: High-end brands need new architectural solutions to fully enfold. Until then, there were mainly two possibilities for India's premium retailers. Either to establish a shop in a high-street where one has to cope with the hardly changeable constructional Status Quo. Or move into one of the many malls which often, due to an overall sensual overabundance, weaken the brand experiences. Lead by these essential thoughts the architects developed the design for the retail and business park with its 16 independent units. One architectural style was spread over the façade of the four building entities to give the retail park an own identity. From the beginning, it was equally important to create an attractive outdoor area. This resulted in the new interpretation of the ancient agora principle: many stores located around a central public plaza which invites to linger around and enjoy the day.
A new era of shopping
Today, the open air mall with 16 units offers to each company – in contrast to regular malls and other big complexes – an own, gracefully designed building with a separate address. "This enables retailers not only to implement a design according to their needs but also fosters individuality and independence," says Mrs. Angela Kreutz, CEO of Blocher Blocher India. In addition to the hot spot location in an economically flourishing district, this attracts premium and luxury brands. Like the retail parks in countries as the US and UK, Mondeal creates a perfect shopping experience for the well-heeled and brand-conscious.
The retail park will also be a place of contemplation and relaxing. The architects and designers of Blocher Blocher India realised a grand central plaza and an embedded park landscape with water gardens and places to rest. Tenderly shaded by largesize sails. "We made sure that family, leisure and shopping are successfully united within this unique complex," Mrs Kreutz explains.
The business and retail park Mondeal stands for a new era of shopping in Ahmedabad and enables the city to keep up with other metropolises around the world.
The amalgamation of two worlds
Blocher Blocher India Pvt. Ltd. is the Asian subsidiary of the German based company Blocher Blocher Partners, which is an internationally renowned firm for architecture and design. It was founded in 1989 in Germany. Today, the company employs 150 architects and designers. The expertise of Blocher Blocher Partners consists of a holistic approach. They plan, develop and realise world class standard architectural and design projects for the commercial sector, private houses and hotels. In India, the core businesses are commercial and retail projects as well as private residencies. "Our concepts are created to fit each client's needs perfectly. We express the company's personality through building and design and by this, emphasise their individuality," says CEO Mrs Angela Kreutz. "With us, the company is able to differentiate itself from its competitors." Additionally, the Indian office brings together the best of east and west – an amalgamation of two worlds. All this convinced established companies such as Pantaloons, Madura Garments Lifestyle (e.g. The Collective, Planet Fashion, Van Heusen) and the SKNL Group (e.g. Reid & Taylor).| At a Glance | |
| Project | : Mondeal Retail Park |
| Location | : Ahmedabad, India |
| Gross floor area | : 25,000 square metres on three levels |
| Amount of retailers | : 16 |
| Parking spaces | : 160 |
| Planning | : since 2010 |
| Opening | : 2013 |
| Client | : HN Safal Group, Ahmedabad |
| Architecture | : Blocher Blocher India Pvt. Ltd. |
