The architect for the project is Kennedy Viana, and the design utilizes natural stone for the interior as well as the exterior. All of the material was supplied by Tracomal Mineracao S.A.of Ecoporanga, Espírito Santo, Brazil.
The mall comprises nearly 50,000 square feet (540,000 square feet), and features approximately 200 different shops, including nine anchors and 10 megastores. It also includes a food court with more than 1,000 seats and a multiplex cinema.
Inside the shopping center, the primary materials are White Macaubas and Gold Macaubas, both of which are quartzites. A total of 10,000 square meters (107,600 square feet) of White Macaubas was used throughout the interior, comprising much of the field tile in large-format 1.4- x 0.6-meter pieces as well as column cladding.
In many areas of the interior design, the White Macaubas quartzite is combined with Gold Macaubas quartzite to create distinctive geometric patterns, including radius-cut stonework. In addition to being installed in flooring patterns and as 1.4- x 0.6-meter field tiles, the Gold Macaubas was used for stair treads, wall cladding and column surrounds. In all, approximately 5,000 square meters (53,820 square feet) of Gold Macaubas was used for the interior.
“The quartzites were applied across the full extension of the mall,” explained Marilia Margotto of Tracomal Mineracao S.A. “Considering the high surface resistance and low abrasion index of the products, both are ideal for general circulation areas with a high flow of people. The Gold Macaubas and White Macaubas quartzites are quarried in Diamantina region of Minas Gerais, and they have characteristics that give the product durability and consequent low maintenance costs, with no need for constant repolishing. Because these are materials with low porosity, they also do not absorb liquids and other products common in commercial use, and these were applied throughout the food court of the enterprise.”
In sourcing material for the project, the owners and architects attended trade shows as part of their research. “The entrepreneurs, Alliansce Shopping Centers and Grupo Barra Sol, along with architect Kennedy Vianna, made the choice of the materials during the 2012 Vitoria Stone Fair, where they were able to see the material at Tracomal’s booth,” Margotta said. “The selection process was guided by the aesthetic and technical requirements needed to help the new mall reach a higher standard, and [the quartzites were chosen] for their beauty and durability.”
For the exterior of the Boulevard Shopping projects, the architect again chose Gold Macaubas quartzite, but with flamed and brushed finishes. In the outdoor areas, the quartzite was used for access ramps as well as paving. A total of around 1,000 square meters (1,700 square feet) of Gold Macaubas was used for exterior applications.
Brazilian granite is also part of the exterior design palette, as approximately 3,500 square meters (37,600 square feet) of Santa Cecilia Classic granite was used for external sidewalks, columns, stairs and the facade. The granite features both flamed and flamed-and-brushed finishes.
“The supply of quartzite and granite occurred during the months of April to October, and all deliveries were performed within six months, with daily monitoring of all project phases and customer demands,” Margotta explained. “The entire project was produced at Tracomal factory in Ecoporanga, and also with strategic partners in the greater Vitoria area, close to the jobsite to optimize the production — due to the urgency of the project.”
As the largest mall in the state of Espírito Santo, Boulevard Shopping in Vila Velha was inaugurated on November 27, 2012, and it has been hailed as an “innovative and audacious concept of shopping center, a new nucleus of development in Vila Velha.”
