Working collaboratively with P&T Architects from Hong Kong, Buchan was responsible for the planning and interior design of the retail podium. The design gives the mall a unique elegant style of its own while acknowledging the rich historical heritage of St Mary’s School, the materials and textures of the area, and the changing local urban landscape. The mall divides into two zones by the existing heritage buildings on the site. The ‘Great Lawn’ that sits between the buildings is a large open green space that, combined with the school buildings, forms a unique meeting and gathering space for the residents and customers alike.
Each part of the mall then houses different uses and spaces for different customers. A mixture of fashion and lifestyle tenants with entertainment and dining options combine to create a sense of journey and place for the locals and visitors alike. The retail component encompasses 114,761sqm, almost half of the development’s total size.
Buchan also designed the feature façade to reference the wayfinding narrative used throughout the project. A ‘stitch’ pattern pictogram for the fashion precinct is the module for laser cut metal panels with bendable elements. These reflect light at different angles and glitter like a jewel.
