# Life Cycle Approach to Shopping Mall Redevelopment: A Model for Service Life Design
## 2 Materials and Methods  
This research was prompted by challenges in architectural design, where the guidelines provided in the project brief are often insufficient for understanding the concept of the designed building. The selection and quality of construction materials are typically verified at the beginning of the construction phase, or as needed during the building's operational use--most often in the case of significant or sudden damage--in order to confirm the structural integrity. Over time, materials lose their performance characteristics, marking the beginning of the building's aging process. This study addresses the issue of changing conditions over time, building durability, and the dilemma of determining the appropriate moment for the architect to initiate a remodeling intervention by proposing a hybrid methodological framework based on the integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Service Life Planning (SLP). The framework is tailored to the specific context of shopping mall revitalization and aligns with internationally recognized standards--ISO 14044 [11] for LCA and ISO 15686 [13] for SLP--developed to bridge the gap between theoretical modeling and practical architectural application.  
In line with the research objectives, the methodological framework is structured to integrate theoretical insights with practical analysis through the following interrelated phases:  
* Theoretical Foundation: Contemporary theoretical foundations concerning the typology and challenges of shopping malls--as specific architectural and commercial entities--are presented through the theory of the \"ideal shopping mall.\" Success criteria are defined and categorized into four thematic groups: location, market context, architectural design, and facility management. These success factors are further analyzed using a set theory-based mathematical model to interpret architectural relationships. The conceptual basis, presented through the definition of building life cycle stages that integrate LCA and SLP principles, introduces the field of redevelopment and the alignment with defined quality requirements.
* Classification of Degradation and Risk Factors: This component addresses the identification of key sustainability disruption factors, which serve as input variables in the predictive modeling process.
* Case Study Application and Validation: The proposed hybrid model is tested on a real-world case study--shopping mall \"Deva 1\" in Serbia--through the quantitative verification of condition assessment and service life prediction using the Markov chain model. The methodology includes the collection and verification of input data, definition of the baseline (zero) condition, assessment of mechanical and physical performance of construction materials, tracking material property changes over time, structural analysis, and proof of load-bearing capacity and usability. Predictive model outputs are then used to define the projected service life.  
Comparative analysis between actual and predicted condition trajectories provides valuable insights, informing the refinement of the model and supporting decision-making regarding revitalization options and timing. This methodological approach, framed through the lens of architectural performance, enables a comprehensive understanding of shopping malls across their technical, functional, and sustainability dimensions over time. It offers both creative and practical tools for redevelopment and facility management strategies, especially in transitional urban environments.