SECOND FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR
GROUND FLOOR
A realignment of the tenant mix was under-
taken whilst additional GLA was gained through
the relocation of the banking mall to the upper
level, an area previously occupied by offices.
New escalators were installed and upgraded
circulation cores were introduced to make the
transition between levels easy and functional.
Shopfronts were pushed back to improve the
lines of sight whilst ceilings were raised and
walkways widened creating a greater sense
of space. In an attempt to advance consumer
variety and create a comfortable and enticing
shopping environment new tenants were
included in the redevelopment whilst existing
tenants were relocated into upgraded stores.
Feature Wall
To generate the required volume for the ETFE
roof, the existing parapet wall needed to be
increased in height. This requirement was used
as an opportunity to create a grand feature wall
that wraps around the atrium, linking the new
parkade entrances to the centre of the mall. The
feature wall boasts the harmonious assembly of
abstract tree forms both in shape and texture
and is used to soften and counteract the rigidity
within the tiles and Caesarstone cappings.
Timber boards laminated with Kydex plastic was
used to give it a real life timber grain as well as
ease of maintenance.
Externally, a mix of solid and perforated
aluminum panels hide the original raw surface
of the precast concrete parkades. Redundant
arch façades faced with terracotta tiles were
replaced with dark grey shades of Equitone fiber
cement panels, taking on a fresh expression.
These cladding panels were used to square off
the uneven façade and create a new sense of
order and identity to a dated design.
The parkade along the Western façade was
previously isolated from the centre. This has
been incorporated into the design and opens up
on all levels providing direct access to the mall. It
also assists customers with protection from the
elements and encourages customers to utilise
parking on all levels, freeing up unnecessary
traffic within the parking lots.
Sustainability
During the design process it was agreed that the
design would be based on Green and Sustainable
principles as part of the redevelopment of the
centre. Recycled concrete rubble and steel was
harvested from the demolition to form part of
the new structure of the centre. In order to
reduce the need for artificial lighting and energy
consumption, energy efficient LED lighting was
used in conjunction with the flow of natural light
through the central skylight. Separate water and
electricity meters were introduced for each
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Benmore Centre