Ask locals what they like most about Karrinyup, and they will say it is the unique coastal lifestyle: upmarket yet laid back, sophisticated yet relaxed. They see their version of ‘coastal cool’ as unique in Perth, and unique in the rest of the country for that matter. They are very protective of their way of life and are proud of and loyal to their shopping centre. AMP Capital has gone to great lengths to research and define the uniqueness of Karrinyup, and their brief to the designers has been based on the overarching strategy to create a unique and authentic destination, customised to suit the local market and delivering distinct experiences.
In responding to the brief and AMP Capital’s vision for Karrinyup, design firms Taylor Robinson Chaney Broderick and Hames Sharley, working together as joint venture design collective TRHS, have developed an overall design narrative for the redevelopment of Karrinyup Shopping Centre. This design narrative draws inspiration from the local context - primarily the natural coastal context, but also the surrounding bush and urban settings – to create a truly unique shopping and entertainment offer. The key design themes which inform the design are:
- Sea + Sand
- Blue gold
- Coastal
- Bush
- Urban/suburban
The architectural expression of organic forms and natural materials are informed and defined by these overarching themes throughout the exterior and interior of the centre. The layering of familiar textures and materials within the centre reflects an understanding and recognition of the local context. Open volumes, access to daylight where possible and providing shelter from the elements where necessary are crucial to providing a sense of openness and understanding of space - aiming to achieve an amazing sense of light and airiness reflecting the coastal cool lifestyle that is unique to the Perth coastline.
The shopping centre, by nature of its functions, comprises of several precincts with distinct characteristics, but linked together by common design threads they present a unified and cohesive narrative.
- For the new north fashion mall, the aim is to provide a fusion of nature and organic architecture. Clean contemporary lines, natural materials and a sinuous sweeping skylight form draw inspiration from the smooth curves of wave-forms and boat hulls. Light, bright and sandy tones form the base of the palette. Access to big skies from within is the key to the success of this mall.
- The first-floor dining terrace similarly has a coastal expression with soft curved lines and a relaxed ambience created by a palette of natural materials and soft colours. Bringing the outdoors in is a key design objective, with plenty of natural light and a glazed east wall taking in the vista to the CBD and the hills in the distance.
- The south mall is the new fresh food marketplace. It has a more urban, vibrant, street market ambience in the layout of tenancies and kiosks and the selection of materials and colour palette. The coastal influence still runs through however with wave-form timber batten ceilings referencing boardwalks through the dunes.
- The western external dining and entertainment precinct is the new community heart of the centre. It is the new ‘backyard’ in the truest beachside lifestyle tradition. It is welcoming and relaxed with attention to detail, materials, colours and textures to give it a human scale. Protection from the elements is integral to the design and landscaping and water, like in all good backyards, are vital to the success of the space.
TRHS’s design aims to deliver to the northern coastal residents of Perth a new and more exciting version of the shopping centre they already know and love, transforming it into a true community and town centre embodying the unique Karrinyup lifestyle. In doing so, they aim to not only fulfil AMP Capital’s vision but also establish a new benchmark, in WA and the rest of Australia, for shopping centre design as community heart.
