Rio Shopping

Rio Shopping is a remarkable as it was the first time that an IKEA store has been fully integrated within an enclosed shopping centre. It needed to provide a cohesive retail destination and respect the local environment without losing the balance of practicality and design that is the hallmark of IKEA Centre Group developments. Defined by the plot and planning requirements, the shopping centre occupies the middle of the U-shaped development, with the two wings given over to retail park elements. We designed a series of plazas with double height volumes, interlinked by flowing malls. The food court is on the second level and directly connected to the IKEA entrance through bridges, the fine dining restaurants and the cinemas. The result is successful integration of the local vernacular with Scandinavian style.