The design competition challenged participants to create the world’s greenest retail centre in the suburbs of Melbourne.
The foundation of Buchan’s entry brings the community in, through a community centre, a gym, community gardens and a butterfly enclosure. The design considers that the centre as part of a larger development with a residential community. To achieve this we overlaid a traditional retail mall on top to create a centre that serves and connects with the community.
The use of concrete, for the structure and for durability, balances the use of recycled steel and timber, with a lot of ‘kit of parts’ construction elements so it is quick to build and to deconstruct. We put most of the building under a landscaped roof. This also provides a thermal buffer. The landscaping filters water, with elements including bioswales and a small wetland. Everything is about getting water, waste and energy to below zero.
Grün Consulting, Inhabit Group, RushWright Associates and The Space Agency were part of Buchan’s team.
