The architects , therefore , decided to express the architecture with brand colors and designed super-graphic signage . MLB architects teamed up with Visualine , resulting in a happy ‘ cross-over between architecture and graphic design ’. The two disciplines were thus blurred and overlapped in an efficient , controlled and designed manner .
CONTEMPORARY & CHINA TOWN MALLS : Internal Treatment The juxtaposition of two distinct malls presented the design team with another dynamic challenge . The ‘ cross-over between architecture and graphics ’ was also used in the interiors . Signs and graphics became the exterior architecture , while the interior architecture provided the information and the decoration .
The China Town malls were treated as pedestrian ‘ streets ’ with high ‘ sky ’ ceilings and bright façades . These walls were painted ‘ Mondrianstyle ’ in alternating panels , with ‘ hot ’ colors of the China Town brand ; further layers were then added as signs and bunting to create a modern version of an Asian street market .
An important linking component that will be implemented in the second phase is the back-lit ‘ fighting dragon wall ’ in the central food court . This will serve as the transition between the contemporary mall and China Town mall , as a ‘ gateway ’, but also as information , decoration and a source of light .
SUSTAINABILITY : Recycling of a Valuable Asset This project is a good example of ‘ recycling ’ - giving a new lease of life to a tired building . By not selling this underperforming asset ( a seriously considered option ), Redefine unlocked considerable value through this refurbishment - a decision that made good business sense , while improving sustainability .
Certain aspects of green design were also applied to services , finishes and details in this project . For example , these were incorporated in the installation of low energy lighting throughout ,
376 Shoprite Park