The Buchan Group’s entry in the Living Building Challenge design competition has taken out the 2016 People’s Choice Award and runner up for the Power for Life Award. The entry was one of three finalists chosen at the Living Futures Institute’s Conference held in Seattle. Coordinated by the Living Future Institute of Australia (LFIA), in collaboration with Principal Partner Frasers Property Australia, the design competition challenged participants to design a sustainable shopping centre that meets rigorous environmental standards. Frasers’ Brickworks shopping centre site in Burwood, Melbourne.
Buchan’s entry, entitled ‘For the Common Good – A Restart to Retailing,’ was designed in collaboration with Grün Consulting, Inhabit Group, RushWright Associates and The Space Agency, and inspired primarily by Passive House principles. The development proposal focused on the revitalisation of Burwood’s retail offering, and the creation of a vibrant residential community based around an economically and sustainably viable passive house centre. Principal Harvey Male said the award recognised Buchan’s excellence in retail design combined with a broader commitment to placemaking, liveability and wellness balanced with commercial principles.
“It was an honour to receive the People’s Choice Award for our design and a pleasure collaborating with the team to create a concept that challenges the traditional idea of a shopping centre,” said Harvey. “Our vision was to create a series of active and liveable places which will provide for the local community. The design intent was to substantially improve retailing in terms of both its offer and ability for social interaction, residential diversity and choice, as well as creating employment opportunities. Our response intended to set a new benchmark in inner city sustainable retailing, living and well-being.” Source and images Courtesy of The Buchan Group.