Retail Shopping Centre

The development consists of multiple tenancies including a large-format restaurant (~438 m²), retail spaces (~365 m² and ~271 m²), and office tenancies, arranged within a unified commercial complex.

Key structural elements included:

• Reinforced concrete raft footing system across all tenancies 
• Precast concrete wall panels for primary load-bearing external walls (restaurant and retail) 
• Structural steel framing for roof systems and primary load transfer 
• Suspended concrete slab (Bondek) supported on steel beams for mezzanine/upper levels 
• Mezzanine structure within Retail 1 tenancy 
• Integration of large open-plan retail and dining areas with minimal internal obstructions 

The project presented several structural and coordination challenges:

• Large clear-span requirements for retail and restaurant areas to maintain functional layouts (e.g., dining hall and shopping aisles).
• Mixed structural systems across tenancies (precast, steel, Bondek slabs) requiring compatibility and consistent load paths.
• Integration of mezzanine structure within Retail 1 without compromising headroom or usability.
• High service density zones (commercial kitchen, cold rooms, plant areas) introducing localised load concentrations and penetrations.
• Tight site constraints with boundary-driven design and limited flexibility for structural elements.
• Coordination with architectural and services layouts, particularly for openings, bulkheads, and façade elements.
• Additional design scope evolution including bulkhead framing and spandrel connection modifications, as well as mezzanine design refinement.

A coordinated and efficient structural design approach was developed to address the project complexities:

• Adopted a raft footing system across the development to provide uniform load distribution and accommodate variable soil conditions while simplifying construction.
• Utilised precast concrete wall panels as primary load-bearing elements, reducing on-site construction time and improving structural robustness.
• Designed steel framing systems to achieve long spans across retail and dining areas, minimising internal columns and maximising functional space.
• Incorporated Bondek suspended slabs with steel beams for mezzanine and elevated floor areas, balancing structural efficiency with constructability.
• Developed a tailored mezzanine framing solution within Retail 1, ensuring adequate load capacity while maintaining required clearances and usability.
• Engineered connection details (spandrel and bulkhead interfaces) to ensure compatibility between precast and steel systems while simplifying installation.
• Coordinated structural layouts with services and architectural requirements, allowing for penetrations, plant zones, and façade features without compromising structural integrity.

• Achieved large clear-span retail and dining spaces, enhancing commercial usability
• Delivered a cost-effective hybrid structural system combining precast, steel, and concrete elements
• Simplified construction through repeatable systems and efficient detailing
• Enabled flexibility for future tenancy use and internal fit-outs
• Reduced construction risk through coordinated load paths and connection design
• Provided a buildable and program-efficient solution aligned with contractor requirements