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Client Brief:
The Client wished to transform the existing shopping centre into a facility in line with the Armadale Redevelopment Authority’s aim to make the area a more vibrant, safer and attractive place in which to visit, work and live.
Design Resolution:
The $60 million expansion of Armadale Central Shopping Centre was substantially completed in mid 2009. This expanded its floor space from around 8,000m2 to 16,000m2 and incorporates 58 speciality stores, an eight screen cinema and one major department store. The first two stages opened during the 2008/09 financial year, with the final stage reaching completion at the end of August 2009. The final stage will include the amphitheatre in Memorial Park and the City of Armadale Library.
From all approaches the centre appears playful and inviting. Care has been taken to break up the expansive facades and make them more approachable and dynamic. A comprehensive palette of materials was drawn upon to aid the mammoth task. These include Alucobond cladding, concrete block, face brick, zinc cladding, Donnybrook Sandstone, Colorbond custom orb, polycarbonate sheeting, and Colourback glass. The colour scheme is vibrant and playful too. Orange, lime green, yellow and red are offset by metallic’s and muted colours and also by the patterns and textures of the various materials.
The theme is carried through internally with terrazzo tiling in assorted colours to create zones within the malls. High level clerestory windows flood the space with light, creating an amiable place to spend time.
The food court embraces the theme of energetic colours, organic patterns and harmonious surroundings. The raised seating area in particular adds diversity to the space. The comfort of the booth seating and the carefully selected upholstered stools add warmth and unity. The food court’s interior scheme also reflects the shopping centre’s exterior facade and conceptual identity.
The developer, Westzone Enterprises, also commissioned a large scale external art piece on the façade facing Armadale Road by Brian McKay and Ahmad Abas. The piece is made up of many coloured aluminium panels fixed across the façade in a curved basket weave, catching and reflective the sun and surrounding landscape.
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