Suddenly, a prism of colors catches your eye. This is Mira, a shopping center in Munich. It is not just a place to shop. Mira is a testament to modern architecture and sustainable design.
Mira opened its doors in 2008. It sits in the Nordhaide district. This area is between Milbertshofen-Am Hart and Feldmoching-Hasenbergl.
The Mira project cost 120 million Euros. FONDARA led the real estate development. Chapman Taylor handled the planning, with Ruprecht Melder as the project architect. Lèon-Wohlhage-Wernik-Architekten designed the facade.
Look at the building’s exterior. The west, north, and east facades use colored metal panels. These panels create prisms. The different colored sides make the building appear to change. As you move around Mira, the colors shift. Polished aluminum panels reflect the sky. This adds to the dynamic effect. The facade construction finished in 2007.
Inside Mira, there are 66 retail stores. These stores spread across three stories. The area covers 25,500 square meters. Above the shops, there’s a parking garage. It holds 750 spaces. Mira is accessible by car via the A9 and A99. It also has a direct connection to the U-Bahn station Dülferstraße.
Mira has also won awards for its green initiatives. In 2009, it received the DGNB Gold award. This award recognized Mira as a sustainable building. The building uses Europe’s largest thermal groundwater system. This system cools the shopping center. Mira also recirculates 80 percent of the interior air energy. This saves 50 percent of the required heat during heating season. Overall, Mira saves 40 percent of final energy compared to modern shopping centers. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 1000 tonnes each year.
Don’t miss the fountains. In the North Forum, find the “Goldener Brunnen” fountain. It covers over 50 square meters. The water reaches 15 meters high. Outside the south entrance, see “Ab durch die Mitte.” Alexander Laner designed this fountain in 2009.
Mira offers a unique shopping experience. It blends retail with sustainable technology. The architecture is eye-catching. The commitment to the environment is commendable. As you explore, remember Mira is more than a shopping center. It’s a modern landmark.