Australian design practice Hames Sharley has unveiled plans for the new Perth Airport Neighbourhood Shopping Centre (NSC). The centre – to be anchored by Woolworths – is sited within the expanding Airport West retail precinct, adjacent to the soon to be complete Redcliffe Train Station.
Due for completion in 2023, the new centre will service the growing population of Redcliffe and surrounding suburbs while also catering to commuters using the new Metronet train service. The neighbourhood shopping centre is designed to become a vibrant community hub, with a variety of convenient everyday retail offers.
With an increasing local population and a large amount of commuting traffic, the suburb of Redcliffe was in need of a convenient, comfortable neighbourhood retail amenity amongst the more large scale offerings of the DFO and Costco further down Dunreath Avenue.
The brief was to create a convenient, clear, open-air environment that focussed on connection and convenience. Additionally, focus was applied to understanding how drive-through and ‘grab and go’ customers from all directions could be effectively accommodated, along with the more conventional weekly in-store shopper.
The design language draws reference to the Perth Airport precinct, with the main design feature being a folding, paper plane-like exterior canopy. It floats above the main public realm across the shopfronts, acting as a beacon from afar while also providing cover and amenity up close. Considered winglets at ends of spans provide points of branding and visual interest at the edges. From there the canopy dances over the specialty shopfront elevations towards the central lobby space where the folded planes turn down with an origami-like approach creating a striking, faceted three-dimensional glazed façade and bold customer entry statement. Lighting design takes similar cues to help embolden the aesthetic. The result is a design approach that is both familiar and convenient to all, while creating something fun and unique.
The first phase of the centre will comprise a Woolworths supermarket of 3,600m2, specialty tenancies, and two food and beverage outlets with alfresco seating. The new development will also include a 300-bay car park, providing easy access from both car and train.
Construction is scheduled to commence shortly, with the new building targeting Green Star 4 rating. Doors are scheduled to open to the public in 2023.
