Ben Perman on revitalising Westfield Centrum Černý Most

The addition of a 9,100 sqm new retail extension to Westfield Černý Most presented an opportunity to reimagine a popular retail hub as a vibrant, community-focused destination for Prague. Our interior design team set out to create spaces that felt authentic, contemporary, and distinctly local, where visitors could connect, explore, and unwind within an environment that celebrated the city’s architectural character and human scale.

What was the core ambition behind the transformation of Centrum Černý Most?

The new retail extension gave us an opportunity to rethink CCM not just as a shopping centre, but as a true community destination for Prague. Paired with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s design principles around creating sustainable, experiential ​‘urban places,’ we wanted to create spaces that felt authentic, contemporary, and distinctly local; environments where people could connect, explore, and relax. Our goal was to celebrate the city’s architectural character while making the space feel welcoming on a human scale.

How did Prague’s architectural heritage inform your design concept?

Prague’s urban fabric was central to our thinking in terms of colour and materiality. We looked closely at the city’s terracotta rooftops, whitewashed façades, and enduring stone streets. These elements formed the basis of a tactile, modern materials palette. Our client supported us in creating a bold and tactile materials palette. Terracotta, pale plaster, and stone were reinterpreted through clean lines and refined detailing, while urban elements like black mesh ceilings and rendered concrete introduced a contemporary energy.
Lighting was equally important, it helped establish warmth, rhythm, and cohesion across the food hall and retail spaces.

Community experience seems central to the project. How did that shape the interior spaces?

Every detail was designed considering the end user and with the intention of creating an identity that the local community would enjoy and be proud of. We wanted the journey through the centre to feel holistic and intuitive. The food hall became a lively social hub, a flexible space that can support events, casual dining, and informal gatherings. Seating options were deliberately varied, accommodating everything from large groups to visitors seeking quieter, more reflective moments.

How did you approach designing for families, particularly children?

Families were a priority from the start. Our focus was to create comfortable spaces for dwell in the malls, convivial furniture arrangements and the Garden Room in the food hall, which is dedicated to children and parents. The children’s area and dwell areas of the mall and food hall are rooted in biophilic design principles, incorporating natural textures and planting, with wellness in mind. The result is a welcoming space that enriches the family experience.

The bathrooms in particular seem to have been a point of focus, why was that important?

We see bathrooms as integral to the visitor experience, not an afterthought. By using warm terracotta tiles, black mesh ceilings, and smooth rendered concrete, we created spaces that feel quietly refined. The aim was to evoke calm and wellbeing; a moment of retreat within a busy environment.

Sustainability is increasingly crucial in contemporary design. How did it influence this project?

Sustainability was a guiding principle throughout the design with local craftsmanship and locally sourced materials prioritised over other options. Biophilic design was also central. Mature planting is woven throughout the interiors, and natural materials like pine, granite, and marble bring warmth and longevity. New skylights flood the extension with daylight, enhancing wellbeing and creating an indoor environment that feels connected to the outdoors.

What does Centrum Černý Most represent today, after the revitalisation?

CCM has become a vibrant, human-centred destination that reflects both the global vision of our client Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and also Prague’s local soul. It’s a place where local context, community spirit, and contemporary design come together. Ultimately, it celebrates connection, craft, and the unique character of the city.