From early times on commerce has been a major factor in the economic and social development of cities and communities. The present-day galleries, passages, shopping centers, department stores, and retail stores in shopping streets comprise the broad range of today's commercial potential. Together, they bundle the financial resources of important investors that provide new impulses for urban development and form the face of our inner cities. The architecture of commerce hereby defines the transition between public and private spaces. Embedded within the urban context with its diverse functions such as living, working, recreation and culture, it can take on an inspirational character and motivate inhabitants and visitors to become customers of the retail shops. The architecture of commerce is hence much more than the mere creation of retail space. New Architecture of Shopping Complexes captures this challenge of creating a successful architecture of commerce that allows both a high recognition level for the retail sector and at the same time adheres to high levels of architectural quality.
Follow the captivating, rich-colour photographs and enlightening text that brings you into the exciting new world of retail complex architecture.