MIDWAY HALL SOLARIUM: schematic architectural project for a sustainable and bioclimatic intervation at SHOPPING MIDWAY MALL, NATAL/RN'
ustainability; shopping mall; architectural design; building reuse; environmental comfort.
Climate-integrated shopping mall designs are a minority concerning the predominance of types with post-modern, globalized architectural language, with little or no reference to the place, and often have low commercial value. However, the growing awareness of sustainability and environmental comfort concerns related to the quality of life and against the pandemic motivate a new perspective. This work introduces the conception path and result of architectural intervention in an underused indoor area in a shopping mall in Natal, RN. The conventional conception of shopping spaces was subverted, integrating the indoor environment with the climate through design decisions focused on environmental comfort and low environmental impact. The design process began with a conceptual and theoretical basis through architectural programming, pre- dimensioning, architectural zoning, and a project methodology, resulting in problem understanding, intellectual conception, and development. The design started selecting the potential area of intervention on the last floor of the garage pavements. The concept was based on the metaphor of a large tree, which shelters activities providing shade, permeability to wind, and soft light. The environment requalification occurred with the expansion and reorganization of pre-existing uses and new uses according to the architectural features, such as the mezzanine, a roof lifting, and a green area addition. The development of conceptual design regarded thermal, luminous, and acoustic performances, and the selections of construction systems valued the use of wood for structure and interior finishing. The final result is a commercial environment comparatively more sustainable than usual, with restorative characteristics for its users.