Pandainabattlesuit

The team and I took a trip to Rouse Hill Town Centre the other day. This was to do some recon because friends of ours had been telling us how nice it was and that they did shopping there. We have been looking for real estate options near the area and so had decided to take a drive and have a coffee, and check it out for ourselves.

on arrival it was the same as always, turn right and then quick left into underground ‘Westfield’ style car park. But then….we rode the elevator up to the ground floor.

Unveiled was a designer delight shopping centre, complete with green attributes, hidden store rooms, and complete attention to detail. The designers at GPT Group have done every local resident proud. This shopping centre felt fresh, it felt cozy, as well as feeling air-y and open.

From the polished concrete planter boxes come sitting and waiting benches, to the pipette style naturally lit art deco/future chairs (see below) every thing came together. The centre gave the impression that you were walking around out doors and indoors at the same time all whilst existing in the current day future.

The food court itself is beautiful (and beautifully fattening). It is split down the middle by a giant partition that is able to close one side from the other, not sure why but it looks very effective. The partition itself is made a a open wire pattern that is nature motifs but from afar looks like a 1920s damask, very cool. The lighting in the food court give way to the feeling that you are in the under

it is a little oriental but more gives the illusion that even the food court is eco-friendly.

Like most other ‘eco friendly’ buildings being constructed at the moment, recycled water plays a part in showing off the ‘green build’. This fountain is part of  a cycle that apparently recycles 70%  of the water that is used by the centre, and looks really good. All of the drain hole covers are themed to remind patrons that the water is effecting the habitat that surrounds the centre. It is a nice touch very similar idea to the Manhole covers in different towns in Japan.

This section of the retail centre is both open air and not. It really takes away from the ‘Westfield style mall’ feel that all these centres have whether they like it or not. You get to feel the outside temperature and the natural light is very nice alternative to fluorescent lighting.  the planter baskets and natural exposed timber will probably age very quickly but for now makes the building feel super modern.

Every section has its own theme. Good attention to detail makes the shopping experience feel personal and feel like you are shopping in the back streets of Melbourne, only problem is, that all the stores are the same chains as always. Neither good nor bad this aspect reminds you that you are in a shopping mall.

The whole place makes it very easy to sit outside and drink coffee in the town square, and feels a little like a suburban piazza.

Aside from the trolley, left away from the supermarket, the chair in this photo was what inspired this post. Cool seating like this should be every where in every shopping centre. For resting, and for kids climbing

I would recommend people go and shop here for sure. It really is a great alternative, and nice eye candy.