Giant Mascot at Alameda Shopping Mall

New attraction for Alameda Shopping Mall

Alameda Shopping Mall in Porto reopened its doors after an operation of refurbishment. Visitors who are strolling around in its fresh, bright, and spacious interiors, will be captured by a peculiar and playful figure that dwells in the heart of the mall: a giant mascot designed by Carve.

Rising through multiple levels of this corner of the mall, the open area provided the perfect stage for something unexpected. With its bright, bold colors standing out against the soft whites of the surroundings, the 7-meters tall sculpture invites curiosity. Shoppers stop, look up, and explore, drawn in by its intriguing presence.

Creature open to your own imagination

The concept was born from two simple yet imaginative ideas: to play with scale and to create a mascot character, unique to Alameda. The design team envisioned a figure that felt as if it belonged to another world, a giant being that wandered into the space and decided to stay. It’s abstract, yet familiar—a blend of human and creature, leaving its form open to interpretation.

Is it a friendly guardian of the mall? A fantastical animal from a child’s imagination? Or something else entirely?

Manufacturing marvel

Building this mascot was no small feat. Its steel skeleton, clad in steel panels, wooden finish, and plexiglass windows, had to come together with precision to achieve its flowing, double-curved shape. The team carefully calculated every element to ensure it could be both playful and structurally strong, as well as to be efficiently supported by the overall building's construction.

“Just” a matter of perspective

What makes this figure so special is its ability to transform with perspective. From one angle, it looks like a giant person, from another, perhaps a fantasy animal. To some, it is simply a piece of art. It invites everyone—young and old—to interact with it, whether by climbing, sliding, sitting, or imagining stories about its origins.

For Alameda, this is more than just a centerpiece; it’s a new character in the story of the mall, connecting its spaces and adding multiple functions to its public realm. For visitors, it’s a reminder that even in a shopping mall there is room for wonder and play.