Lift lobbies and toilet facilities were highlighted with the use of a more sophisticated application of polished porcelain with stainless steel trim details .
Bridges , freestanding pergolas , shading devices and other clip-on elements were designed using combinations of steel and balau timber and aluminium louvres . The colour palette chosen for the building is predominately of a warm off-white that is accented by the introduction of earthy tones of trowel on textured plaster or the rich red of the ‘ klompie ’ brick detail components . The roof is a combination of Kliplok to all major roofs which then changes to the more delicate and recognisable profile of Victorian profile corrugated sheeting to all the human scale elements such as the walkway verandah roofs that make up the edge condition to almost the entire building . These roofs were all finished in a dark charcoal grey . The simple nature of the roof structure was then enhanced by the introduction of aluminium louvre components or clip on roof structures of steel and corrugated profile sheeting to both protect and shade façades whilst concealing an otherwise unexciting fascia and gutter system .
Lighting design for an outdoor centre has to be approached in a far more careful and subtle manner than that for an internal mall scenario . Lighting levels have to be tweaked in such a way that the centre feels like a street and not a mall yet provides an environment that one feels comfortable to shop in after dark and still allows the shopfronts and architecture to establish their prominence . This was achieved through predominately reflected light and controlled accent lighting . The parking areas and streets were defined by means of different light poles and choices of lamp source . This was then further complemented by accent lighting of the entry portals and the covered walkway lighting that fronts the parking .
The magic of an open street environment is that one is able to merchandise exciting open air events within a safe and controlled environment , from wine tastings , cheese festivals , craft markets to night time street parties . It is the ability of a centre to live beyond the 9 to 5 scenario that makes Willowbridge so exciting . Having the varied mix of great restaurants and the ever-popular Barnyard Theatre , allows this centre to take on another personality after hours .
The success of any architectural design and its implementation requires a strong team effort . Willowbridge was very fortunate to have an extremely informed and visionary client body and professional team that embraced the new lifestyle concept and supported its reality through often tough market forces and tenant requirements . All through these challenging times , the team stuck to the task of ensuring that they remained true to the concept and its delivery on time .
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS ’ S REPORT This project had a number of engineering challenges and unusual solutions . The first challenge was to find an economic founding solution . Based on geotechnical investigations , a solution , using a combination of piles and pad footings , was chosen . Competitive tendering of the piling contract resulted in competitive prices . Although the parking decks were post-tensioned ,
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