Golden is a large-scale mixed-use development concept for Algiers, Algeria, designed by Terra Développement (2020–2022). The programme brings together a shopping mall, a hotel, office space, a residential tower, and supporting services on a single site — inspired by the mixed-use “mall center” developments the client had seen in the US, the UAE, and Turkey. This is the biggest project I’ve worked on to date: I joined the team from the very first sketches through the full concept phase. The project was ultimately not built.
The client asked Terra for an Assistance à Maîtrise d’Ouvrage (AMO) mission — helping define the programme itself around current and future user needs, rather than starting from a fixed brief. As part of the team, this meant running market studies alongside a benchmark of comparable mixed-use projects worldwide before the concept design work began.
The façades lean on natural, durable materials: perforated copper panels inspired by traditional moucharabieh screens give privacy without blocking views out, while wood and stone anchor the interior spaces with warmth.