DDN
This is a successful building type that is almost extinct in the range of commercial buildings in Caracas: the shopping center integrated into the city. Pinzani articulated complicated situations in Chacaíto, devising a com-plex that is open to the climate, with wide pedestrian corridors separated from the cars, on a 23,000 m2 trapezoi-dal lot. Soon after opening, the 45,000 m2 of construction became a shopping icon in Caracas, thanks to its urban proposal and shops like the Drugstore, Carnaby Street or the Hipocampo. Consisting of two large pieces, one «L» shaped, the other one square, it is divided into three levels: basement (parking and shops), ground floor with shops, soda fountains and square (later converted into parking) and upper floor (shops and offices). The «L» shaped body connects to Avenida Francisco Solano López trough stairs and a ramp to Plaza Brión. The square body, with an entry for light over a double-height central area, was placed on the southwest corner, surrounded by corridors and open to the boulevard. The shops organized from the perimeter corridors, keeping walkers between the shop windows and the outside, and high quality graphic advertising, were keys to its vanguard image. This 1970 Municipal Architecture Award of Sucre District is still considered by many as the best modern shopping center in Caracas.
planta
IGV