A modern but traditional mall

Kazan, capital of the multi-ethnic republic of Tatarstan, is an economically dynamic and culturally vibrant city located on the river Volga 700 km from Moscow. It is also home to the Kazan Mall, Tatarstan’s largest shopping centre opened in December 2020. The three upper levels accommodate 150 shops, 30 restaurants and cafés, a 9-screen cinema and IMAX theatre, a children’s entertainment centre and much more, while the two lower levels house a 1500-space car park. The mall extends over a total area of 140,000 square metres, including 54,000 square metres of retail space. The project for all the public areas (15,000 square metres), the outdoor landscaping (30,000 square metres), the directional signage, the graphic design of the temporary display areas and the partly open-air rooftop lounge area was awarded to architect Kseniya Manokhina and her Moscow-based practice KMarchitects due to their extensive experience in architecture and retail design. So what were the guiding principles behind the project? « The basic idea was to create modern, fresh and stylistically unobtrusive interiors using contemporary materials, while at the same time reflecting the honeycomb design of the façade and the Kazan Mall logo, » explains Kseniya Manokhina. « The hexagon, one of the oldest and most widely used geometric motifs in Tatar ornamentation, can be seen everywhere in the decoration of floors, columns, escalators, ceilings, furniture and even in graphic elements. The exterior plaza also features hexagonal benches that fit in perfectly with the design of the façade. » The focus on greenery is evident in the tropical garden in the entrance foyer and reflected in the plant arrangements present throughout the Kazan Mall. The triangular ceiling recalls the decorative elements of the façade and the logo. Vortex fountains integrated with benches and planters have been installed in the central atrium, while the RGB lighting echoes the colour palette of the glass balustrade coated with iridescent dichroic film. The columns have acquired their striking appearance thanks to the translucent artificial stone finish. The food court and food hall have been designed with pale colours and abundant wood trim to create a comfortable environment for visitors. « The zoning of the food court is based on the presence of various types of furniture, from individual seats and bar tables to cosy alcoves with poufs and rocking chairs for children, the perfect place for a large family to relax, » notes the architect. Stone-effect porcelain tiles from Fondovalle’s Planeto collection are the key elements of this project and are used in a variety of sizes and custom cuts reminiscent of a hexagon. Chosen in the delicate Venus and the more distinctive Mars shades, they stand out for their timeless elegance and originality.
The large number of sizes and the extremely realistic texture of this collection offered the architect plenty of opportunities when carrying out the interior design project.