A 110m-long vaulted passageway has emerged as a new form of retail space that acts a linked walkway between Melbourne’s upscale Chadstone Shopping Centre with the new Tower 1 office building and Chadstone MGallery by Sofitel hotel.

Designed by London, Hong Kong and Sydney-based architecture firm Make Architects, it is a new destination but it is a long walkway while making your shopping in it. The project also replaced part of a multi-level car park and created a more accessible, engaging entrance to Chadstone – the Fashion Capital.

The 1,100-square-metre project has been designed as an engineering skill in the structure that spans 110m and stretches up to 15m height at its tallest point. 

The new structure blurs the boundary between different leisure, commercial and retail uses at the centre and also between an internal and external environment. 

The studio takes cues from the arched glass roof of the shopping centre. The studio has designed a 110m-long vaulted passageway with an Italian larch glulam diagrid structure and semi-translucent PTFE canopy. 

Its canopy presents a native soft landscaping, plentiful seating and bespoke nighttime lighting, and neatly traverses the change in site levels with travellators and stairs. The flexible design also accommodates art installations, exhibitions and events.

"The simplicity of its materials, belies the complexity of the Italian Larch timber diagrid structure which essentially acts as a harmonica – each element holding the other in position, albeit supported by hidden steel foundations," said Make Architects. 

"All other features within the space are below eye level in order to celebrate the scale and beauty of the architecture." "Landscaping, stairs and travellators have been carefully positioned to create areas to dwell and relax as well as space for a new restaurant to spill out and flexible areas for events and pop-up uses."

The choice of planting ties in with the wider strategy for Chadstone to use native species. This is supported with evergreen climbing plants such as climbing Boston Ivy and scented Jasmine to provide a broader sensory experience. 

The design itself is highly sustainable, open at the sides to provide cross-ventilation and eliminate the need for air conditioning. Artificial lighting is minimal, primarily used to illuminate the structure at nighttime. 

"The Link is a great example of how retailers and landowners are thinking differently to adapt to changing consumer behaviour, incorporating new uses into their centres, but also creating flexible spaces like this, spaces that don’t necessarily drive revenue but that tap into what patrons are looking for in terms of places that promote wellbeing and that provide a more relaxed, natural environment," said Jacob Alsop, partner at Make Architects.

"We’re very proud of what we’re creating as Chadstone evolves to become a world-class, integrated destination for retail, dining, entertainment, tourism, business and now luxury accommodation. The Link has enhanced the amenity for the more than 24 million people who move between our Tower One offices, Hotel Chadstone and the retail precinct every year," said Fiona Mackenzie, Chadstone Director. 

"The Link is easily and highly adaptable, it has been designed for effortless maintenance and to stand the test of time, to integrate different uses and to itself be used for different things now and in the future. It was delivered in an extremely tight timescale and we are delighted with how it combined European craftsmanship with Australian expertise to deliver a space that works perfectly for this location," added Jacob Alsop, partner at Make Architects.

Site plan

Plan 

Axonometric drawing

Axonometric drawing

Sketch

Project facts

Project name: The Link Walkway

Architects: Make Architects

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Size: 1,450m2

Client: Vicinity Centres

All images © Peter Bennetts

> via Make Architects