Lots of glass creates unique shopping experience in 'Wroclavia'

In the fall of 2017, the "Wroclavia" shopping center opened its doors in southwest Poland. The center with more than 200 stores, cafes, restaurants, a fitness center and a cinema has now welcomed more than nine million visitors. The absolute eye-catcher is the glass roof, which, like the windows and doors, were supplied by the company ALUPROF.

The shopping center opened on Oct. 18, 2017. Construction began in 2012 on the site of the former bus station. At 72,500 square meters, the shopping complex is almost as large as seven soccer fields and offers something for everyone. Global chains such as H&M, Media Markt, The Body Shop and Pandora are obviously present but lesser-known brands are also counting on success thanks to the large visitor numbers.

Complex roof structure with very good sealing and thermal insulation.

Additional eye-catcher
The shopping center has three floors: the ground and second floors contain the stores, while the second floor houses most of the catering establishments and the cinema. The project was conceived by architectural firm IMB Asymetria with offices in Krakow and Warsaw. In addition to the extraordinary shape of the complex, the architects managed to integrate an additional eye-catcher: a huge roof structure made of glass, divided into countless small windows that give a view of the sky and through which very much daylight enters - in contrast to the majority of shopping centers with artificial light.

The shopping complex is operated by Unibail Rodamco, Europe's largest listed company in the field of commercial buildings. The Group operates 67 shopping centers in 11 countries and attaches great importance to architecture, urban planning and environmental standards. In the construction of its shopping complexes, great attention is paid to economic, social and environmental sustainability. This, self-imposed, commitment was rewarded with a FTSE4Good Index and also the Unibail Rodamco Group received an 'A rating' from various rating agencies including Standard & Poor's.

From the ALUPROF range, the MB-78 EI fire-resistant walls were used in the shopping complex, in addition to the window and door systems  MB-45 and MB-86 and the MB-SR50N facade system. The MB-78 EI system is used to build interior and exterior walls that are not only fire-resistant up to EI 90, but also guarantee excellent thermal and sound insulation. Add its low cost, high quality design and flexible applicability, and the system's popularity is clear.

The building has been awarded BREEAM certificate EXCELLENT.

Curved profiles
In this particular project, for example, the glass ceiling could be realized thanks to the use of curved profiles.  Very high heat resistance, and thus the protection of the public, is guaranteed by the steel connecting elements and fire insulation placed in the inner chambers of the profiles and insulation spaces.  The MB-45 system allows the creation of architectural interior and exterior elements that do not require thermal insulation. The low profile depth of 45mm allows slim and strong window and door constructions that can also be curved.  ALUPROF uses EPDM closure made of synthetic rubber that has excellent resistance to aging and a long service life.

The MB-86 window and door system meets the energy efficiency requirements of the Unibail Rodamco Group and is the first aluminum system to use non-woven fiberglass filling and aerogel. In doing so, ALUPROF has achieved the best thermal insulation in the industry. In addition, the stiffness of the profiles makes it possible to use larger and heavier glass surfaces for the shopping center. 

Through the use of the MB-SR50 façade system, the building fits the current architectural trend: thin, visible dividing lines provide style and solidity in the construction. The profiles of the facade were given a so-called "sharp edge" so that from the inside they merge into an optical whole. From the outside, the facade appears to have a half-timbered house design. The wide glass area calls for large glass surfaces and even triple glazing. Again, the EPDM seal provides corresponding thermal insulation and minimizes condensation on the aluminum components.

The ALUPROF systems provide great daylight in "Wroclavia" making shopping a pleasure, without unsightly artificial light. The shopping center is not only pleasant for shopping but also for working and relaxing.

Text: Aluprof   |  Image: Maciej Lulko