London practice Twelve Architects have been granted unanimous approval by the local government of Russia’s fourth-largest city to “reinvent the retail mall” with a new 120,000sq m (1.3 million sq ft) leisure destination.

The Cosmonavtov Mall will anchor the regeneration of Ekaterinburg's former industrial centre, which is being transformed with new commercial and retail buildings for the city's 1.5 million population.

Twelve Architects’ scheme replaces the simple, single-entrance boxes that are prevalent throughout the country with a dynamic, multi-level development. In a statement, the architects said their vision was “more akin to a major public building to attract retailers and the public.”

“The design creates multiple entrances that relate to the current and future surroundings with an extension of the pedestrian streets into the mall. These streets will lead to a range of plaza spaces, all covered by a glazed roof. It will be a destination for people to meet, shop, dine, entertain and enjoy range of leisure activities, as well as a venue for public events, fashion shows and music performances.”

The mall will be arranged over three levels; with two 42,000sq m (452,000sq ft) levels of retail and leisure situated above a floor for parking. The facades will be clad in black glass and perforated anodised aluminium, with large integrated media screens.

The plan has been developed with Cushman Wakefield and Twelve’s local multidisciplinary office R1 Design Bureau.