The Starhill Gallery building is a statement-making shopping center. In place of typical brick and mortar is a crystalline facade that is stunningly futuristic. Beautifully faceted, it was designed by Stephen Pimbley of Sparch Design Studio and built in Kuala Lumpur.
Home to luxury shops and fine dining restaurants, the Starhill Gallery shopping mall "is firmly engaged with the public realm and generates valuable visual connections along this section of Bukit Bintang via the heavy footfall," as described by Pimbley. Inspired by the 'wet drapery' of ancient Greek and Roman statues, the Starhill Gallery is a balance between solidity and transparency.
The Starhill Gallery shopping center is constructed out of lightweight steel, stone and glass facade. The use of high-quality materials reflects the brands found inside the mall.
Crystalline Shopping Centers
The Starhill Gallery by Sparch is Luxuriously Faceted
Trend Themes
1. Crystalline Facades - The use of stunningly futuristic crystalline facades in shopping centers presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in architectural design and construction.
2. Luxury Shopping Malls - The rise of luxury shopping malls like the Starhill Gallery creates opportunities for disruptive innovation in the retail and hospitality industries.
3. Visual Connections - The emphasis on generating valuable visual connections in shopping centers offers an opportunity for disruptive innovation in branding, advertising, and experiential marketing.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture and Construction - The use of crystalline facades in shopping centers requires innovative construction techniques and materials, creating opportunities for disruption in the architecture and construction industries.
2. Retail - The development of luxury shopping malls presents opportunities for disruption in the retail industry, including the integration of technology, omni-channel strategies, and personalized shopping experiences.
3. Hospitality - Luxury shopping malls with fine dining restaurants offer opportunities for disruption in the hospitality industry through innovative dining concepts, immersive experiences, and luxury service offerings.