Aquamarine Projects - Astrakhan Ice Center and Retail

The Astrakhan Ice Center and Shopping Gallery is a bold mixed-use architectural proposal developed by Aquamarine in 2024. This high-profile design integrates a modern 1,500-seat ice arena with a state-of-the-art retail and entertainment complex, establishing a new cultural and recreational landmark for the Astrakhan region.

The proposal exemplifies Aquamarine’s multi-functional design ethos where sports, retail, leisure, and education converge under one architectural vision. The project was designed as an alternative to an earlier 6.0 concept iteration, demonstrating design flexibility and client responsiveness.

The building adopts a clean, circular architectural footprint with a refined modernist facade, combining transparency and scale to project a civic and inviting presence. Full-height glazed curtain walls wrap around the outer perimeter, allowing daylight to animate both the public concourses and the internal arena.

Renderings illustrate a minimal yet bold form, emphasizing rhythm, accessibility, and visual drama. The interior ice arena is bathed in natural light via a dramatic skylight system, creating an inspiring venue for sports and public gatherings.

The surrounding internal layout supports pedestrian flows between retail, entertainment, and sports venues, offering intuitive navigation and vibrant spatial transitions. Key features of Astrakhan include multifunctional integration of sports, retail, education, and entertainment; a high-capacity retail mix with anchor tenants, boutique spaces, and food courts; a strong community focus through a Discovery Center and family entertainment zones; and contemporary civic architecture that contributes economically and culturally to the city.

Aquamarine was responsible for the complete architectural concept, master planning, and visual design. This version of the project showcases Aquamarine’s ability to develop hybrid venues that serve complex urban and commercial demands through an elegant, efficient, and future-forward design.