Shopping City Seiersberg

Shopping City Seiersberg – located in Seiersberg-Pirka, a suburb of Graz, the capital of Styria – is the largest shopping centre in southern Austria and a vibrant hub of the regional retail landscape. The current refurbishment of the exterior of Buildings 3 and 5 is giving the complex a fresh architectural identity. By transforming the heterogeneous existing buildings into a coherent overall image through a clear design language, a modern framework is created for the diverse range of shops at Shopping City Seiersberg. The design theme is based on the consistent continuation and further development of the existing design language of Building 9. The central element of the transformation is the surrounding frame with integrated lighting and controllable colour changes. The gently rounded corners of the new frames create a visual echo of the existing structure. The existing reinforced concrete beam at House 5 is enhanced by high-quality cladding. The centrally positioned, backlit lettering ‘Shopping City Seiersberg’, complemented by the logo, serves as a visual anchor point and lends the façade an identity. To achieve a cohesive overall appearance, the steel substructure in the lower section is straightened and re-framed by a wraparound frame. The perforated trapezoidal sheet metal creates a neutral backdrop that provides the necessary space for the advertising messages. As a durable material, trapezoidal sheet metal also stands out as a particularly sustainable solution. Thanks to its high flexibility and adaptability, the chosen design also allows logos and lettering to be customised to new requirements or replaced at any time. On Building 3, the existing façade design is neutralised by a new coating and architecturally redefined through the installation of a curtain wall system. The flexible integration of state-of-the-art advertising technology does not appear out of place, but rather as an integral part of the architecture. All façade lighting and advertising elements are based on highly efficient and energy-saving LED systems. These ensure brilliant colour rendering and optimal visibility from a distance, whilst simultaneously minimising unwanted light pollution. During the day, the advertising façade acts as a semi-transparent layer and transforms into a luminous landmark at dusk. By enhancing the existing building fabric with durable materials and conserving valuable resources in the spirit of sustainable refurbishment, the project sets a forward-looking example in the urban landscape of Graz-Seiersberg, thereby consolidating Shopping City Seiersberg’s position as a leading retail destination and sending a signal visible from afar for modern architecture in southern Austria.