ATRIO, Villach

Crossing borders
ATRIO’s location in the three-country region, where Carinthia, Friuli, and Slovenia meet, made an obvious case for adopting the motto of Carinthia’s cross-border Olympic bid “Senza Confini” and developing it further in the design of the shopping center. The play on words “A-Trio” was integrated into the design of the plaza and the huge atrium and the idea of bringing three countries together is already clear at the entrances to the center, where visitors find flowing transitions rather than barriers.

Integrated and sustainable
ATRIO – which is built on “glowing piles” – obtains energy from geothermal sources and reduces CO² emissions by 500 tons per year in comparison with a conventional building of the same type. ATRIO received numerous awards for this innovative energy concept:

• 2009 ICSC Best-of-the-best-Award for Sustainable Design, 1st Prize

• 2008 TRIGOS Award for CRS/Ecology, 1st Prize

• 2008 ReSource Award Supporting Sustainable Development

• 2008 European Shopping Center Award/Commendation

• 2007 Energy Globe Award, Carinthia, 2nd Prize

Design: communication, movement, platform
The oversized red entrance element greets visitors like an artistically folded piece of aluminum origami artwork. It marks the display area and the entrance while also creating a covered forecourt that was designed as an open-air stage. The concept structures the mall and the INTERSPAR market around a 50 x 60 meter, glass-roofed central plaza, which brings people together to shop, dine, play, and communicate as well as simply rest awhile, all in the spirit of the traditional market place – thus creating a new urban square for Villach.