The silent transformation of shopping centres into climate refuges

As cities face rising temperatures and increasingly frequent extreme weather events, shopping centres could become far more than retail destinations. In this interview with XXXXX magazine, architect Beatriz De Las Rivas from Chapman Taylor in Madrid explores how shopping centres can evolve into climate refuges, providing comfort, resilience and social value for their communities. Drawing on practical experience and forward-looking design strategies, she considers how sustainable retrofit, mixed-use thinking and people-centred design can transform shopping centres into valuable civic assets that support climate adaptation and the future of urban life.

What characteristics must a shopping centre have to be considered a genuine climate refuge?

Beyond the building's physical characteristics, a climate refuge is defined by its ability to accommodate large numbers of people during periods of extreme heat and provide relief through environmental comfort, including opportunities for rest and hydration. With their high footfall, controlled indoor environments and capacity to accommodate people for extended periods, shopping centres are well placed to fulfil this role, evolving into places that are more open, integrated and connected to the city.

Achieving this requires careful consideration of orientation, solar protection, ventilation, materials and efficient building systems, all adapted to the centre’s use, scale and location. Importantly, these spaces must respond to seasonal changes throughout the year, incorporating a degree of climatic versatility that makes them comfortable and attractive places to visit in both winter and summer.

What characteristics must a shopping centre have to be considered a genuine climate refuge?

Beyond the building's physical characteristics, a climate refuge is defined by its ability to accommodate large numbers of people during periods of extreme heat and provide relief through environmental comfort, including opportunities for rest and hydration. With their high footfall, controlled indoor environments and capacity to accommodate people for extended periods, shopping centres are well placed to fulfil this role, evolving into places that are more open, integrated and connected to the city.

Achieving this requires careful consideration of orientation, solar protection, ventilation, materials and efficient building systems, all adapted to the centre’s use, scale and location. Importantly, these spaces must respond to seasonal changes throughout the year, incorporating a degree of climatic versatility that makes them comfortable and attractive places to visit in both winter and summer.

Are we witnessing a quiet transformation of the shopping centre, from a space for consumption to an infrastructure for urban wellbeing?

Today, we are witnessing an exciting transformation in urban regeneration. The criteria that define and underpin the value of a property are evolving, with commercial uses, the true ‘urban glue’ of our cities, increasingly intertwined with energy efficiency, human wellbeing and the creation of spaces that support community life.

This means shopping centres are no longer defined solely by their commercial offer. Their ability to contribute positively to the wider city and provide welcoming, comfortable and inclusive places is becoming increasingly important as well.

Can climate change alter the way we design and understand shopping centres in cities?

Not only can it, but it must. Climate change needs to be understood in relation to place, its history, traditions, seasons and changing climatic conditions. No single solution can be applied everywhere.

For more than 60 years, we have been designing shopping centres and urban retail environments around the world, and no two are the same. Just as every place is different, societies have their own distinct and constantly evolving needs. The response to climate change must therefore be rooted in local context while remaining flexible enough to adapt over time.

What lessons can shopping centres learn from hospitals, airports or libraries in terms of climate resilience?

Hospitals demonstrate the importance of self-sufficiency and operational continuity, maintaining high-quality internal environments even during critical situations. Airports show how large flows of people can be managed flexibly while maintaining stable environmental conditions at scale. Libraries, meanwhile, offer lessons in creating accessible, comfortable spaces designed for people to spend extended periods. Bringing these principles together can help us create shopping centres that are more resilient, adaptable and focused on the needs and wellbeing of their users.

As cities face rising temperatures and increasingly frequent extreme weather events, shopping centres could become far more than retail destinations. In this interview with XXXXX magazine, architect Beatriz De Las Rivas from Chapman Taylor in Madrid explores how shopping centres can evolve into climate refuges, providing comfort, resilience and social value for their communities. Drawing on practical experience and forward-looking design strategies, she considers how sustainable retrofit, mixed-use thinking and people-centred design can transform shopping centres into valuable civic assets that support climate adaptation and the future of urban life.

What characteristics must a shopping centre have to be considered a genuine climate refuge?

Beyond the building's physical characteristics, a climate refuge is defined by its ability to accommodate large numbers of people during periods of extreme heat and provide relief through environmental comfort, including opportunities for rest and hydration. With their high footfall, controlled indoor environments and capacity to accommodate people for extended periods, shopping centres are well placed to fulfil this role, evolving into places that are more open, integrated and connected to the city.

Achieving this requires careful consideration of orientation, solar protection, ventilation, materials and efficient building systems, all adapted to the centre’s use, scale and location. Importantly, these spaces must respond to seasonal changes throughout the year, incorporating a degree of climatic versatility that makes them comfortable and attractive places to visit in both winter and summer.

Are we witnessing a quiet transformation of the shopping centre, from a space for consumption to an infrastructure for urban wellbeing?

The only constant is change, as Heraclitus observed 2,500 years ago. Today, we are witnessing an exciting transformation in urban regeneration. The criteria that define and underpin the value of property are evolving, with commercial uses – the true ‘urban glue’ of our cities – increasingly intertwined with energy efficiency, human wellbeing and the creation of spaces that support community life.

This means shopping centres are no longer defined solely by their commercial offer. Their ability to contribute positively to the wider city and provide welcoming, comfortable and inclusive places is becoming increasingly important.

Can climate change alter the way we design and understand shopping centres in cities?

Not only can it, but it must. Climate change needs to be understood in relation to place – its history, traditions, seasons and changing climatic conditions. There is no single solution that can simply be applied everywhere.

For more than 60 years, we have been designing shopping centres and urban retail environments around the world, and no two are the same. Just as every place is different, societies have their own distinct and constantly evolving needs. The response to climate change must therefore be rooted in local context while remaining flexible enough to adapt over time.

What lessons can shopping centres learn from hospitals, airports or libraries in terms of climate resilience?

Hospitals demonstrate the importance of self-sufficiency and operational continuity, maintaining high-quality internal environments even during critical situations. Airports show how large flows of people can be managed flexibly while maintaining stable environmental conditions at scale. Libraries, meanwhile, offer lessons in creating accessible, comfortable spaces designed for people to spend extended periods of time.

Bringing these principles together can help us create shopping centres that are more resilient, adaptable and focused on the needs and wellbeing of their users.

What should a climate-adapted shopping centre look like in 2050?

Alongside decarbonisation and energy efficiency, the shopping centre of 2050 will need to be resilient and climate-responsive, capable of adapting quickly and effectively to different scenarios, from extreme heat to torrential rainfall.

It should be integrated into the city as an important part of a wider network of climate refuges, supported by intelligent management systems that optimise environmental performance in real time. Flexibility will also be essential, allowing buildings and spaces to respond to changing social behaviours, commercial models and community needs.

Which shopping centre projects are setting the trend in climate resilience?

We are seeing a clear move towards open-air and hybrid models that reduce reliance on artificial climate control while strengthening connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. Green roofs, bioclimatic courtyards, planting and intelligent building management systems are also becoming increasingly important, allowing shopping centres to operate more like active urban micro-ecosystems.

Rather than individual projects setting the direction, the most significant development is this wider shift in thinking – towards integrated, efficient and adaptable places that respond positively to growing climate instability while contributing more to their surrounding communities.

Conclusion

As climate change continues to reshape our cities, shopping centres have an opportunity to evolve beyond their traditional commercial role and become valuable components of urban infrastructure. Through sustainable retrofit, flexible design, nature-based solutions and people-centred thinking, they can provide environmental comfort, strengthen community resilience and contribute to healthier, more liveable cities.

The shopping centre of the future will not simply be a place to shop. It can become a destination that supports everyday life, responds intelligently to changing climate conditions and delivers lasting social, environmental and economic value for the communities it serves.

Which shopping centre projects are setting the trend in climate resilience?

We are seeing a clear move towards open-air and hybrid models that reduce reliance on artificial climate control while strengthening connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. Green roofs, bioclimatic courtyards, planting and intelligent building management systems are also becoming increasingly important, allowing shopping centres to operate more like active urban micro-ecosystems.

Rather than individual projects setting the direction, the most significant development is this wider shift in thinking toward integrated, efficient, and adaptable places that respond positively to growing climate instability while contributing more to their surrounding communities.

Conclusion

As climate change continues to reshape our cities, shopping centres have an opportunity to evolve beyond their traditional commercial role and become valuable components of urban infrastructure. Through sustainable retrofit, flexible design, nature-based solutions and people-centred thinking, they can provide environmental comfort, strengthen community resilience and contribute to healthier, more liveable cities.

The shopping centre of the future will not simply be a place to shop. It can become a destination that supports everyday life, responds intelligently to changing climate conditions and delivers lasting social, environmental and economic value for the communities it serves.

Conclusion

As climate change continues to reshape our cities, shopping centres have an opportunity to evolve beyond their traditional commercial role and become valuable components of urban infrastructure. Through sustainable retrofit, flexible design, nature-based solutions and people-centred thinking, they can provide environmental comfort, strengthen community resilience and contribute to healthier, more liveable cities.

The shopping centre of the future will not simply be a place to shop. It can become a destination that supports everyday life, responds intelligently to changing climate conditions and delivers lasting social, environmental and economic value for the communities it serves.