Bulky goods retail centre in Sydney
Homemakers SupaCenta, Belrose is a major retail project that redefines this type of development and makes a positive contribution to the City of Waringah. The dynamic massing in response to the site, the selection of sympathetic materials to the environment, the location of cars within the building and the sculpting of the internal spaces, set it apart as unique.
The flattest area of the site, the northern section, is to be preserved as Duffy’s Forest vegetation. Therefore development was only possible on the most difficult area of the site with significant falls down and across the site. The need for large floor plates is at odds with a site that falls significantly. In this case, however, the combination of planning constraints and the difficult site produces a positive solution to the building form: a series of large interlocking boxes that step down the slope of the site, enhanced by changing the finish of the building material.
Visibility in a retail centre is paramount to the successful operation of the outlets. Here the shop fronts are sculpted around the central void creating visibility and a lively shopping street. The shop fronts are controlled for a depth of 3 metres, ensuring a consistent design approach, with frameless glazing increasing visibility to the products behind. Signage is provided in a banner format over the entries.
Materials and finishes reflect the environment - the use of stainless steel, natural anodized aluminium glazing systems and light coloured terrazzo flooring, produce a relaxed low key amenity, where the retail outlets and their products become paramount.
The central mall space culminates at the roof top car park with a café-cum-restaurant and large balcony area making the most of the view to the north and the sea.
