Point Cook Shopping Centre Development

The following images are of the proposed shopping centre development for the Point Cook area. I have included these rendered impressions of the centre as I couldn't take photos of it under construction. It is supposed to create a sense of openness and outdoors being a series of strips of shops, and relate to urbanisation in a rapidly growing area.






Point Cook Shopping Centre

A focal point for the community

VicUrban and Walker Corporation will create the $100 million Point Cook Town Centre development on a 10 hectare site located 23 kilometres south west of Melbourne’s CBD.

To be built under a partnership agreement between VicUrban and Walker Corporation. the development will have 25,000 square metres of retail space, to be complemented by about 15,000 square metres of commercial, medium density residential and community facilities including a library , childcare centre and medical centre.

The Point Cook Town Centre will provide a focal point for commercial and community infrastructure for the rapidly developing residential area. It will be the largest retail development for the Point Cook community, servicing more than 50,000 people in the local community and it will become the primary retail destination for the 5,000 plus residents of the adjoining Boardwalk Estate. The 10minute drive time population is in excess of 130,000 people with growth in the municipality forecast at 5% PA.

The vision for the Town Centre reflects a ‘main street’ theme featuring strip shopping and an open air feel designed to encourage neighbours to meet and chat. It will also demonstrate high levels of sustainability, energy efficiency and social amenity. The design creates an engaging environment with meandering laneways and lively pedestrian spaces, fostering a strong connection between the buildings and the streetscape.Walker Corporation’s retail design demonstrates high levels of sustainability, energy efficiency and social amenity. More than $750,000 has been committed to enhancing the urban space with public artworks.Construction of the $100 million centre has commenced, with the first stage due to open in August 2008. The first stage will include Coles, Target, Aldi, Reject Shop, Recreation Health Club and about 80 specialty shops

Walker Corporation’s retail design demonstrates high levels of sustainability, energy efficiency and social amenity. More than $750,000 has been committed to enhancing the urban space with public artworks.

Construction of the $100 million centre has commenced, with the first stage due to open in August 2008. The first stage will include Coles, Target, Aldi, Reject Shop, Recreation Health Club and about 80 specialty shops.

Architects: The Buchan Group Architects
Website: http://www.pointcook.com.au/

Multi-Story Brick Office Construction

End Wall of Concrete Panel Construction

Construction Site 1

This is a detail of a column connected to a pad footing. It also shows how the footing is separate to the concrete floor slab.

Shows the temporary supports that hold up concrete panels or columns during construction.

This column has holes in it which indicate where the height of the ceiling above used to be located before it was raised.

In this photo you can see many bracing techniques taking place. There is cross bracing under the floor above and there is a connection between two separated parts of the building, which ties them together.

I like this picture, it shows outer bracing for the building while it is being built. It is tied to the outer wall of the building next door.

Some more internal bracing with insulation.

Rammed Earth Construction Site

This is a house using rammed earth for the walls and floor. The walls are poured 300mm wide and in 4 layers 600mm high in total, then the next line of formwork is built up on top of this. This shows the formwork going up.


the first pour.
the walls progressing.

Builders: BDH Constructions

Location: Lorne, Victoria

Rammed Earth Construction

I think rammed earth is a great material to use in construction, even though it is predominantly used in domestic and small-scale architecture, it comes with benefits that are sustainable and functional. It can also look great and create a great aesthetic.

A great site discussing the benifits of rammed earth construction is http://earth-architecture.com/benefits/ . It also has great photographs.

Concrete Panel Portal Construction