Friday5 – July 16, 2021

Malls and retail centers aren’t what they used to be, especially as consumers take advantage of more e-commerce options while the pandemic lingers. While in-person shopping was already experiencing a slowdown, the past 15 months have only accelerated this shift. As a result, more malls are being left empty, but there could be a silver lining as the demand for high-density housing continues to rise.  “Some real estate firms are predicting that more than half of all major U.S. department stores in malls will have permanently shuttered by the end of 2021, with smaller retail chains not so far behind.” Investors and developers have begun to wonder if giving a new lease on life to these empty stores might be the solution.

The Southwest has become known for its civic and monumental designs that buck the more traditional architecture that is familiar to the region. “Located on sites throughout Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, they are designed with modern aesthetics and new ideas. Standing in contrast to the intimate, discreet spaces found within southwest residential architecture, these buildings are more prominent landmarks and nodes within their respective cities.” Below are several projects that use distinct envelopes and screens to craft memorable exterior experiences. Despite the surrounding buildings or landscapes that mix many different styles, “these designs looks forward with new materials, spatial typologies, and conceptual ideas.”