GREENTOPPED SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
01 Mar 2018
Melbourne could become home to the world’s most sustainable shopping centre with the approval of a proposal for a farm and greenhouse development to be situated on top of a new retail precinct.
The development will be a component of a new complex that will include residential structures in addition to the shopping mall, constructed at the former Burwood Brickworks Site in Burwood East, Melbourne. The structure aims to achieve living standards listing in the LBC (Living Building Challenge) which encompasses rigorous performance standards for residential and commercial buildings. The development will be revolutionary as none of the buildings that have achieved this standard are retail precincts.
Frasers Property Australia acquired the development property in 2014. the property manager and developer for the project
Joost Bakker, renowned sustainable designer, is set to be the creative consultant for the development. He stated that, “The vision driving the design comes from such a positive place. Frasers is seeking to reinvent the way we think about sustainable, mixed-used developments and food sourcing. Mulching excess organic material for compost, implementing ‘closed loop’ water reduction management and limiting food and waste transportation are just some of the measures that will be employed on the rooftop to lessen the ecological footprint.
“There is such a hunger for this kind of development throughout the world,” he continued. “It really fills a gap in the market to feed and nurture conscious consumers. New consumers want to shop, eat and relax in environments that truly support a sustainable world.”
In order to meet the LBC requirements for the development, 20 percent of the total area must be dedicated to food-producing space. this means that the design is already falling short of requirements, as only 2000 square metres have been allocated for the farm, requiring another 2900 square metres to comply.
This shortage will be made up for with horizontal and vertical agriculture and planting throughout areas such as the car park and façade.
The rooftop space will include an agricultural garden, a glasshouse and a restaurant for visitors to enjoy the spectacular plants.
Construction is planned to begin mid-2018.