Natal Shopping of Automobiles

Photograph by Michel Amorim, Courtesy of the Architect.

Project Details

• Project Name: Natal Shopping of Automobiles
• Client: JGS Administradora e Incorporadora
• Project Type: Shopping of Automobiles
• Principal Designer/s: Oliveira Junior
• Design Team: Ricardo Vidal; Deborah Araujo, Architecture trainee
• Contractor: JGS Administradora e Incorporadora
• Date of commencement of project: 2006
• Date of completion of project: 2007
• Location of site: Nata, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
• Site Area: 17.000 sq. m.
• Built-up Area: 8.200 sq. m.
• Cost of Construction/Execution: USD 1.200,000.00

Administrative and services building.

Words from the architect

The Natal Shopping of Automobiles is a new concept of entrepreneurship towards the commercialization of semi-new vehicles, with the necessary infrastructure support to the performance of that activity such as: banks, financing, expediters, State Dept. of Transit (DETRAN), Vehicles Parts and accessories' stores, food court and an auditorium.

Administrative and services building.

The shopping is located by the BR101 expressway, Neopolis neighborhood, on a 17, 000 sq. m. site with 8, 200 sq. m. of constructed area, distributed among 32 stores of 214, 50 sq. m. each.

Parking area with view of the ramps.

The shopping division of areas was defined following the natural access and according to the site topography. At the front and flat part of the site are the vehicles' stores; in the middle of the site is the administrative and services' building and at the back part; the lowest part of the site, is located the parking lot, State Dept of Transit (DETRAN) and the Vehicle Parts and accessories' stores. This site planning, besides having an excellent view from the Expressway, takes the client to a walk through the various sections towards the parking and also to the various support services of the shopping, mainly the State Dept. of Transit (DETRAN).

Parking with Vehicle Parts and accessories.

The same concept was used by the architect previously at the Automobile Shopping in Joao Pessoa, such as the use of Metal structural arches roof top that cover long spans, providing a satisfactory aesthetical, functional structural and economical performance, that attracts entrepreneurs/contractors from all over the country.

The arched roof envelope has its projection an the sidewalks.

At the proposal for the Natal Shopping, new details were included to suit the cultural and climate conditions of the location.

The arched roof is designed perpendicular towards the predominant winds allowing protection to the stores especially against the windy storms, so typical at the sea shore. A large overhanging encloses the arched roof envelope of each area (Central, left and right) and has its projection an the sidewalks, bringing comfortable shade and shelter to the pedestrians.

Automobiles store.

The metal arched roof of the central area of the structure are linked by a tensile cable system connected to the top a tubular structure in a inverted "V" shape, distributed along its central part, showing lightness, character and personality to the design.

Aerial view of the front of the site - gardens.

The administrative and services' areas, made of concrete and conventional dry wall, have warm colors finishes like the orange mosaics and the acrylic dark-beige wall painting, in contrast to the "ice white" color of the building envelope and to the exterior walls of the first floor that is made of natural stone, found in many buildings in the region.The accessibility to the disabled was an item well thought and included in all areas, such as the ramps, restrooms, sidewalks, elevators, and parking.

Aerial view of the site - parking area.

Credits

• Text by Oliveira Junior; Translation for English: Ana Colares and Edna Paula
• Photographs by Michel Amorim, Courtesy of the Architect