Thinking outside the (retail) box

Abstract

Retailing plays an important role in the lives of many New Zealanders and immigrants. The continuous rise of the country’s retail industry brings positive economic effect. However, this is not seemingly reflected in the current architectural design of the retail environment in the country.

What this research project proposes is to acquire an understanding of the retail environment in New Zealand and its significance in the public life. This study is done through site visits, historical research, and design research: all with the aim of highlighting the current architectural issues brought by the current design of the shopping malls and street shops. Current urban theories and precedent studies of different retail environments are also included to provide background on possible design solutions.

The proposal presents the northern public end Broadway, Newmarket as a site for a proposed mixed-use development that improves commercial activities, community experience, while providing intensi cation through residential developments, all at a variety of scales. The proposed solution also captures the essence of social engagement and human interaction, providing exible gathering spaces and focusing on pedestrian activities. It seeks to provide a vibrant, liveable, and architecturally-articulate development where people can walk, stop, watch, talk and learn.

Research project site: Newmarket, Auckland