Arrábida Shopping (Vila Nova de Gaia)

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  michael mindlin (guest)

  Arrabida was the first modern shopping centre and mixed use development in Porto and was designed by Michael Mindlin and David Suttle now at Suttle Mindlin. The project was important because it occupied an important top of the hill overlooking the Durour River and the historic downtown (centro). The original Portuguese architect had planned the facility's loading docks to face the historic city. Mindlin and Suttle convinced the authoritites to re-plan the development to put the important civic arrival and dramatic "porch" overlooking the centro. This dramatic porch and the symbolic new design profile reminiscent of the Eiffel Bridge near by created a "landmark" project that gave the citizens their first real view of their own downtown and created an important civic place.

  18 years ago | reply | hide comment