Image Credit : Photographer – Rix Ryan Photography
Project Overview
Located in walking distance from Brisbane’s Central Business District, West Village is an urban revitalisation project positioned in West End; the juncture between Brisbane’s commercial district, cultural precinct, and residential neighbourhoods.
The identity of West Village is framed around the restoration of the heritage-listed Peter Ice Cream and Cone Factories that were built in the 1920’s. These historic buildings contributed to West End’s economic prosperity in the past, and now contribute to its evolving community and placemaking narratives.
Wayfinding is critical to the success of the precinct, encouraging exploration throughout the complex multi-level spaces, laneways, gardens and buildings, whilst celebrating site history and establishing a new community.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Director - Angela Stephens
Designer - Sidonie Prentice
Wayfinding Strategist - Lucy Martin
Industrial Designer - Drew Hernando / Thomas Smart
Design Manager - Kerri Quigley
Architects – Nettleton Tribe, Bureau Proberts, TKD
Landscape Architect – RPS
Builder – Hutchinson Builders
Project Manager – Savills Australia
Signage Contractor – CV Media & Signage, Green Light Creative
Project Brief
West Village is an engaging and character-rich mixed-use development, which draws inspiration from the world’s most engaging precincts. The site forges a strong connection to the culture and heritage of West End, resulting in a relaxed, vibrant and immersive experience.
Comprising of a multi-deck car park, retail precinct, 6 residential towers, a commercial tower and additional commercial office spaces woven throughout, the development was progressively rolled out in alignment with an overarching site masterplan. Active connections throughout the site and to surrounding areas are provided through a network of lush sub-tropical green spaces and laneways.
The site aspires to create a strong sense of place and community, including a focus on greening, an infusion of art and culture, sustainability, whimsical and quirky nuances and strong experiential/placemaking initiatives throughout.
Our objective was to craft an authentic design with a strong connection to place, facilitating confident exploration of the complex site, whilst unveiling the offer of the mixed-use precinct.
Project Innovation/Need
We needed to ensure that the design outcome was sympathetic to and integrated with the architectural palette, while also paying homage to the unique heritage of the site.
The wayfinding solution utilises forms & materials that are clearly reminiscent of an industrial/historical environment. Design detailing such as the ‘waffle mesh’ pays homage to the site’s rich history, contributing to a sense of place.
Bold expressed metalwork in warm industrial tones connects heritage and contemporary architecture, while providing contrast with the striking subtropical landscapes.
Wayfinding and interpretation work seamlessly together to guide visitors through the precinct, while building a picture of the site heritage and environmental initiatives. The result connects visitors and residents with past, present and future, through authentic placemaking.
Design Challenge
Effective wayfinding is key to the success of the site, where residential, commercial and retail activity coexists in a complex built and green environment.
The design outcome was required to be sympathetic to the contemporary architecture, while also paying homage to the unique heritage of the site.
Strategic challenges included understanding and communicating the complicated level changes throughout the site, and the development and articulation of laneway identities connecting distinct heritage, contemporary and green spaces.
The design solutions also include adaptable provisions for the future evolution of the precinct, that can be interchanged or added to over time in response to changing journey routes. This outcome was critical in the years-long construction process, where temporary wayfinding needed to maintain the unique design language but respond to the multi-stage development.
Sustainability
West Village is a Six Star Green Star Community. This is Australia’s highest rating for a master-planned precinct and promotes practices which are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Initiatives across the precinct included grey water treatment, native planting, green canopies, composting, organic waste pulping, renewable energy generation and even establishing a local bee population.
Signage supports these endeavours through interpretive works that explain the purpose and workings of initiatives, reinforcing community values. At the same time wayfinding is integrated with the local area encouraging active pedestrian and public transport connections with the walkable city. Fabrication and temporary solutions allowed for faces to change out as the site was developed, and will continue to develop into the future.
Architecture - Mixed Use - Constructed
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow.
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