Shopping Centre

Akropole

Akropole, located in Riga, Latvia’s capital city, is one of the most modern shopping and entertainment centres in the Baltics. Some 18,000m2 Paroc Panel System AST S 200 Panels were chosen for their superb properties.

Sector: Community & Heritage
Location: Latvia, Riga
Completion Date: January 2019
Architect: Benoy
Products: AST® S Wall Panel

Paroc Panel System Sets the Standards for Retail Space

The Akropole, located within Riga, Latvia’s capital city, is one of the most modern shopping and entertainment centres in the Baltics. The 98,000m2 ‘Retail Centre’ offers visitors an unprecedented shopping experience, as well as a wide range of exciting recreation and entertainment facilities. Embracing the very latest architecture and interior design trends Akropole Riga is a desirable destination popular with both young and old.

Specifically, the retail facility is home to nearly 170 tenants spanning both fashion, lifestyle and boutique, as well as service providers, restaurants and cafes. It also houses a state-of-the-art cinema with 9 screens as well as the first IMAX experience in Latvia.

The building was the creation of global Architects Benoy, who recognising the heritage of the site - a former porelain factory - used this as inspiration for the language and personality of the development. It also suggested the materials that were used for construction, which included ceramic tiles fixed to the façade.

Of course, whilst visually impressive, the building also demanded cladding to match as well as being able to support the ceramic tiles, which would weight some 40kg/m2. For this reason, Paroc Panel System’s ASTS200 panel was specified, with the large format ceramic tiles attached to the external steel face using the company’s “Built-On” solution, where additional cladding on uniquely strong Paroc sandwich panels can be added or combined with other cladding materials, such as ceramic tiles, glass, timber or bricks. This “Built-On” solution opens up almost infinite possibilities for facade design.

In fact, some 18000m2 of Paroc Panel System ASTS200 panels were used, chosen for their superb properties – unique strength, lightweight and fire performance – compared to many other construction materials, as well their proven suitability across a whole range of projects.

The use of Paroc Panel System’s ASTS200 panel also assisted in the Akropole becoming the first shopping centre in Latvia to have been awarded the prestigious BREE certificate confirming the building meets the highest standards of energy efficiency and sustainability.