The largest family-operated shopping complex in Australia unveiled its $200 million-dollar expansion including a $4.5M landscape in August 2017. Place Design Group were engaged by the client team (Greenfields Development Corporation and D. Vitocco Constructions in collaboration with Dart West Retail) to help make Narellan Town Centre the primary location for major events in Narellan, contributing to a new, vibrant identity for the town and responding to the area’s rapidly evolving demographic.
The centre itself is connected via a large pedestrian bridge over a main road, which challenged innovative design thinking to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for those shopping, dining and working in the space either side of the road. The design approach envisioned a vibrant, stimulating and functional space, balancing the needs for commercial stakeholders, existing and future residents and visitors to the region. As part of this, the public art strategy details highlight the high-level innovative thinking woven into the design i.e. the water feature visual art piece is not only a focal point visible from each of the internal public spaces, it also plays a pivotal role in providing sound and mitigating road noise. The rhythm, movement and flow of the space then creates a distinctive character and reflects the understanding of the community’s needs by way of incorporating good surveillance and seating on all sides allowing parents to supervise children with ease. As one, the design is harmonious, with curvilinear forms ensuring a consistent aesthetic which naturally works in conjunction with the distinctive curved built forms throughout highlighting that elements are not only visually appealing but are also meaningful, integrated, educational, informative and relevant to the local community.
Ultimately, spaces are designed for the people who use them, and as a place for people to shop, dine and enjoy, the revitalised centre has been exceptionally well received. The buzz from excited shoppers from the opening event reflected in media articles and on social media, is telling of the result of the final constructed project. No longer a tired regional shopping centre, but a ‘world-class development’ and a ‘world-class shopping centre’, as praised by the New South Wales Premier, a testament to the delivered outcome.
Narellan Town Centre
Client: Greenfields Development Corporation and D. Vitocco Constructions in collaboration with Dart West Retail
Landscape Architects: Place Design Group
Contractor: Mainbrace
Architect: Buchan Group
