Architects Woodhead collaborated with Stockland on the design for the redevelopment of their largest shopping centre yet, a $400million Western Sydney project.
Stockland Merrylands celebrated official completion on 5 October 2012.
The new centre is the largest ever shopping centre redevelopment completed by Stockland, with construction on the four stage redevelopment commencing in 2007.
The development is a 65,000 sqm two level retail redevelopment.
Woodhead says the development features a substantial engagement with the local town centre by maximising external retail opportunities thus providing a catalyst for its redevelopment.
The team said the architectural design philosophy for the development incorporates a contemporary language encompassing clean crisp lines with reference to a distinctive, modern Australian ambience in terms of an emphasis on light and shade through the extensive use of glass and wide angular roof overhangs.
The internal public spaces were designed as distinctive precincts each with their own architectural language and ambience, thus encouraging very unique and almost intimate destinations for food, fresh food and fashion apart from general merchandise.
Woodhead principal responsible for the project, Philip Bowen said: “The project throughout its many stages brought a continual series of challenging issues which were only resolved through intensive collaborations between parties, particularly Stockland and Brookfield Multiplex, the main contractor. The staged redevelopment took place whilst portions of the centre remained trading, requiring a very agile approach at all times.”
Woodhead largely designed the new centre using building information modelling (BIM) system REVIT.
The company says a large percentage of its projects are already being developed using the technology for design, specification and construction integration in a virtual space.
This allow teams at all stages of a project’s lifecycle to access designs in real time. They say the efficiency and productivity gains are enormous.
Speaking at an event to celebrate the opening, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell MP said: "This centre will serve as a focal point for the Merrylands community and create important employment, business and social opportunities for the people of western Sydney."
