2 Jun 2020

Paving the way in how we design public buildings for our communities, as we enter the new ‘normal’

Opened in March 2020, The Marketplace at Watergardens is a great example of innovative design and engineering. Its design principles may very well pave the way to how we design public buildings for our communities, as we enter the new ‘normal’ in these challenging times.

The Marketplace is a naturally ventilated fresh food precinct by QIC Global Real Estate for Taylors Lakes in Victoria, which has created a diversity of experiences beneath a shared canopy, which blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. An overarching trellis canopy encompasses the series of retail pavilions beneath, extending the landscape and bringing the outdoors in.

To allow customers a relaxed and comfortable shopping experience, regardless of the weather outside, ADP modelled all elements of the building to ensure thermal comfort and building efficiency were appropriately balanced. The use of thermal comfort models and CFD computations enabled design elements including trellis angles, shading and the extent / performance of the glazing to be tested. The analysis examined air temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity, air speed, metabolic rate, and clothing insulation within a Predicted Mean Vote assessment, to determine which elements would enable occupants to feel the most comfortable within the space.

‘Clean air was key for the project. A spill air solution was also extensively scrutinized, to enable energy efficiency by reducing the extent of air conditioning within the mall. What this does is allow preconditioned air to spill from the retail tenancy areas, to then mix with natural ventilation which is boosted through louvres and fans around skylight areas. This allows ample fresh external air within spaces, and actively removes stale, stagnant air that can pose a risk to human health’ says Laurent Deleu, Founder and Director ADP Consulting.

Our team worked with Tomek Archer of Archer Office through concept design to develop optimal passive elements, such as the size and shape of skylights that allow greenery to grow beneath it, whilst minimising too much solar gain. The use of this greenery (or ‘biophilia’) is central to healthy, human-centred design as plants have been shown to filter air and assist in removing toxins. Research demonstrates they also stabilise temperatures (further supporting thermal comfort), promote mental wellbeing and assist in reduce stress levels. NH Architecture delivered the design documentation.