Photo courtesy of NWCB Ceiling cutouts house ribbon-like elements at Southgate Centre.

Edmonton is renowned for great shopping malls and the expansion at Southgate Centre is no exception, with 40 new stores under a new two-level parking deck.

The project presented a number of challenges, primarily because it relies on elliptical curves as the integral feature and focal point of the design. In particular, the ceiling over the food court area was divided into multiple sections by long, illuminated bulkheads, the radii of which varied along their length. Providing a focal point for these curved bulkheads are large football-shaped ceiling recessions which house suspended “ribbons” custom made by Formglas.

The mall’s tree-story atrium is shaped to resemble a tear drop, with cantilevered bulkheads lining the perimeter on the top two levels. The walls of these clerestory levels are partially clad in patterned panels, also custom made by Formglas.

Judge’s comment: “ARC Interiors did an amazing job constructing and finishing the curved bulkheads, with varying dimensions, and elliptical teardrop formations to complement the spectacular ‘ribbons’ created by Formglas.”