Awards
The issues facing the simple shopping centre have never been so complex.
The ‘American Mall Model’ or the ‘box top’ shopping centre is squeezing out the high street shopping experience. Not only do these centres become ‘dead spaces’ after hours but customer choice is restricted to the major chain store players who can afford the sky high rents. The current shopping centre model is held to ransom by the car – parking spaces are a key resource.
The rise of single person households and online shopping means people want to be entertained – shopping is no longer about the box – it’s linear. Combining shopping with residential and entertainment is a key trend, creating a sense of community.
Councils, developers and the community are struggling to deal with the implications of retail on the environment, communities and the economy. The challenge for THG is to look at these old models and question the thinking behind them. In order to move forward we need to look at a performance based measure combining planning, urban design and social and urban economics instead of concentrating on just the regulations. Instead of accepting the status quo, we need to be challenging it to create the best places to live, work and play.
THG were charged with creating a landscape where pedestrians and vehicles could safely coexist.
The protected salt marsh environment on this site represented a highly sensitive ecological challenge for THG. Representing the interface between tidal and terrestrial environments, this inter-tidal fish nursery area required a comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan to mitigate against environmental damage.
