A Sydney shopping centre upgrade by Australian-based, global architecture firm, Buchan Group is near completion and the firm has lauded its modern and sustainable design elements.

Homebush’s Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) and the new Homemaker component have received a $100 million face lift by Buchan’s architects, and the firm says the new 17,400sqm centre design will interconnect retail and food court spaces and provide high energy performance.

The Buchan Group was appointed by CFS Retail Property Trust Group (CFX) in 2012 to revise the centre’s original design and to provide design, branding, environmental graphic design and signage services to the project.

The Buchan Group Principal Nathan Hones says the upgrade has been planned to fit the needs of the outlet’s tenancy mix and to create a customer-orientated shopping and leisure destination.

He said the centre’s design concepts were explored through the use of materials and an architectural language that reinforced the centre’s modern factory outlet concept and identity.

“A significant design inclusion to rejuvenate the DFO brand and its luxury retailers includes the use of contemporary yet industrial colours in the specialty retail and new homemaker component, which complements the existing DFO level and offering to customers,” says Hones.

“Standout features include the mall’s central skylight and the vertical glass box at the northern end of the complex, which floods the food precincts with natural light, drawing parallels with the customer’s connection to the natural surroundings to establish a relaxed eating experience.”

Hones also announced the project’s high energy performance in comparison with other retail malls, attributing this success to the centre open plan and integrated mechanical systems.

“The building’s design is also bolstered through sustainable features which use less energy than traditional retail malls via the centre’s open warehouse space, limited ceiling features and shared mechanical systems,” he said.

The firm says that convenient customer parking was another key consideration for the project, a provision met through the reconfiguration of the existing multi deck car park.

Also in the car park, and contributing to the buildings sustainable performance, are new CO 2 sensors that monitor the building’s air quality output.

The Buchan Group says the refurbishment will be complete within a month.

Images: Supplied

Nathan Johnson

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