Dec 3, 2013 1:30 PM

Gallery: Trippy Mall Pushes the Limits of What Glass Can Do

01
2012-12-14-EMPORIA-FOTO-TORD-RIKARD-SODERSTROM-MGL0932
Emporia is a massive, mixed-used project that houses a three story mall, supermarket, office space, and residential units. The 2,228,130 square foot structure cost just over $390,000,000 with the hope of attracting commuters who travel through a nearby train station. *Photo: Tord-Rikard Söderström*
02
2013-01-07-EMPORIA-FOTO-TORD-RIKARD-SôDERSTRôM-MGL2784
The building features a dramatic, curved glass facade that will hopefully beckon potential shoppers towards it's almost unbelievable form. *Photo: Tord-Rikard Söderström*

03
2013-01-07-EMPORIA-FOTO-TORD-RIKARD-SôDERSTRôM-MGL2918
There are two entrances to the building. The amber entrance pays homage to semiprecious amber stones produced by resin from Sweden's vast forests. The "Sea" entrance is meant to echo the body of water behind the mall. *Photo: Tord-Rikard Söderström*
04
2012-12-14-EMPORIA-FOTO-TORD-RIKARD-SôDERSTRôM-MG-7891
"We explored the use of glass in many ways, both interior and exterior, from the high-tech colored glass entrances to handmade colored glass entrance door handles from Kosta in Sweden’s Kingdom of Crystal, to specially-designed colored glass railings, elevators, and escalators," says Gert Wingårdh. *Photo: Tord-Rikard Söderström*

05
2013-01-07-EMPORIA-FOTO-TORD-RIKARD-SôDERSTRôM-MGL3112
In partnership with a forward-looking glass fabricator [Crícursa](http://cricursa.com/), the individual panes were formed by placing glass sheets into molds that were heated to 540°C, allowing the glass to slump into its new shape under its own weight. *Photo: Tord-Rikard Söderström*
06
2013-01-07-EMPORIA-FOTO-TORD-RIKARD-SôDERSTRôM-MGL3929
*Photo: Tord-Rikard Söderström*

07
2012-12-14-EMPORIA-FOTO-TORD-RIKARD-SôDERSTRôM-MGL0635
Green space extends into the Emporia as well in the form of [Plantwires](http://www.greenfortune.com/), an innovative hanging garden system that suspends giant columns of jungle vines, flowers, and verdant leaves. *Photo: Tord-Rikard Söderström*
08
2012-10-23-foto-Tord-Rikard-Soderstrom-MGL0846
Bold colors and striking angles are two key visual themes repeated throughout the building, no matter how mundane the application. *Photo: Tord-Rikard Söderström*

09
2012-11-27-EMPORIA-FOTO-TORD-RIKARD-SôDERSTRôM-MGL2590
The three story mall paired with the bold colors and unconventional layout creates no shortage of striking views. *Photo: Tord-Rikard Söderström*
10
2012-11-09-EMPORIA-FOTO-TORD-RIKARD-SODERSTROM-MGL0910
In most malls a hallway to a restroom would be a dull beige affair, but at the Emporia, no space goes unadorned with bright colors and careful attention. *Photo: Tord-Rikard Söderström*

11
-DSC2663
Elements in the Emporia will either command shopper's attention or escape their notice entirely. *Photo: Traian Cimpeanu*
12
2S5D6400
It will also be used to host concerts and other events. The unconventional covering also gave the the architects an opportunity to hide the ugly HVAC systems underneath man-made "hills," creating a seamless environmental experience. *Photo: [Fly Fotograf](http://flygfotograf.se/)*

13
2012-10-23-EMPORIA-FOTO-TORD-RIKARD-SODERSTROM-MGL0540
Designers on the project tried to avoid the "in-between scale," from one centimeter to one meter, to direct attention to the products in the stores. Practically, this meant replacing tiled floors with a terrazzo covering that allows for larger partitions and specifying handrails wrapped in fine grain leather. *Photo: Tord-Rikard Söderström*
14
2012-10-23-foto-Tord-Rikard-Soderstrom-MGL0733 Copy
Ample use of glass helps reduce the energy demand of the mall by taking advantage of what sunlight is available in Sweden. *Photo: Tord-Rikard Söderström*

I Trained a Fly’s Brain to Generate WIRED Story Ideas

I used an open-source map of a fruit fly’s brain to vibe code a website called PitchFly. Its headline suggestions were delightfully bananas.

Will Knight

The 8 Best Movies to Stream This Month

The Mandalorian and Grogu, The Wild Robot, and Obsession are among the must-watch films arriving this month.

Matt Kamen

Chipotle Is Working With Palantir to Track Food Safety Risks

The burrito chain has enlisted Palantir for a platform that monitors pest incidents, employee illnesses, and other factors. The partnership comes after a nightmare summer for food safety across the US.

Kate Taylor

The iPhone 18 Pro Is for the Shutterbugs

Fun camera features help make these candy bar iPhones stand out from the dazzle of the folding iPhone Duo.

Julian Chokkattu

Don’t Buy an Android Phone Until You Read Our Guide

Shopping for a phone can be an ordeal. That’s why we’ve tested almost every Android phone, from the smartest to the cheapest—even phones that fold—to find the ones worth your money.

Julian Chokkattu

Introducing the WIRED App

The app is the best way to read, watch, and listen to WIRED’s journalism.

WIRED Staff

Hackers Got Inside a Flock Camera. Its Data Shows How the System Really Works

A hacker collective pulled down a Flock camera and dumped its data. The files included thousands of videos and logs showing that the device captured 1.6 million images of 50,000 vehicles in 21 days.

Dhruv Mehrotra

The EU Plans to Ban Social Media For Under-13s

The bloc wants to curb Big Tech’s grip on children with its new EU Kids Act, but age checks, parental oversight, and privacy concerns could make its plan difficult to implement.

Isabella Ward

I Made Robot Vacuums Clean Up Cherry Juice and Cheerios. These Won

My hands-on tests reveal which models can scrub stains, reach difficult corners, and navigate a chaotic home.

Nena Farrell

Self-Driving Cars Might Change Crash Testing Forever

Lie down in a car, and you’re more likely to get seriously hurt in a crash. But a driverless future is forcing governments to revisit long-standing safety issues.

Aarian Marshall