Public spaces - a new trend in architecture of shopping and office centers

30.08.2013

The current urban policies of Moscow set new architectural principles for the design of buildings. Particular attention has been paid to the development of public spaces that are integrated into commercial real estate projects. According to the experts of an architectural bureau UNK project landscaped common areas may occupy 5-10% of the area of the building plot.

The concept of the organization of public spaces for retail, office or multi-function centers implies the possibility of spending the maximum amount of time in these areas. In fact, these spaces are not connected with commercial activities directly: those can be a playground, fountains, a sports park, playground for weekend fairs, etc. The presence of these zones gives the urban environment a new level by integrating the building into the architectural ensemble and giving the maximum number of functions to the space between them.
The inclusion of public spaces in the project has a positive effect on its investment attractiveness, as well as demand from tenants. "As a rule, public areas occupy no more than 5-10 % of the built-up area of the site - explains Yuliy Borisov, a chief architect, a co-founder UNK project. - In this case we are talking about areas that are not in any way used by the developer for building - about the areas located directly in front of the object or between the buildings. Development of these areas leads to the increasing of project budget by 3-4 %, but the relevance of implemented object on behalf of tenants and investors fully cover these costs".

"The new project requirements are dictated not just by urban policies but mostly by socio-economic development of the society - says Yuliy Borisov. - Now there is a struggle for the footage taking place almost in every company, so the task that the management is more often facing is creating an office environment that would be a nice bonus for the employee and the incentive to work. For example, in the new office of Mail.ru the architects of UNK project have created an environment with necessary infrastructure that allows the employee to spend in the office the maximum amount of time.