CENTRO SAMBIL            GRID/3 International worked with Constructora Sambil in Caracas to build Venezuela’s largest shopping center. The city’s enviable quality of light is a major design feature. Five of eight storeys are below grade: 12 glass-walled elevators and 26 pairs of escalators move people through the center. To combat earthquake susceptibility, the centre is designed as a series of buildings, connected with walkways, each with a major skylight overhead. The roof is tipped like Mercury’s winged hat to accommodate an airport flight path. Three concrete plants were established onsite to build the poured concrete structure. GRID/3 International also developed the retail design criteria to ensure consistent quality of stores within the center. :: Published in LD & A, SCI – Shopping Centers International, Retail Operations & Construction.		“Daylighting isn’t the least expensive way to build, but when you plan for it from the beginning as we did, you approach the plan differently. Natural light is integral to Venezuelan culture,” says Keith Kovar.