Case Study: Westfield Knox Shopping Centre Redevelopment

Location: Wantirna South, Victoria

Client: Scentre Group

Value: $335 million

Products Used: Aqualoo, Fundermax, Maica

Fitout and Installation: Jacaranda Industries

Project Overview:

The redevelopment of Westfield Knox Shopping Centre in Wantirna South, Victoria, represents a significant upgrade to the popular retail destination. The $335 million project involved a complete redesign and construction of numerous new spaces, including bathrooms, parents' rooms, and various interior fittings that required durable and aesthetically sophisticated materials. Scentre Group, the designers behind the redevelopment, specified a range of premium products from Aqualoo, Fundermax, and Maica to ensure high-quality, functional, and visually appealing outcomes throughout the centre.

Objectives:

The main objective of the redevelopment was to improve the overall customer experience by creating modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing bathroom and parents' room facilities. The use of high-quality materials was essential to meet the demands of durability, design, and ease of maintenance. The materials selected were also expected to integrate seamlessly with the centre’s contemporary style while offering lasting performance in high-traffic areas.

Product Selection:

1. Aqualoo Custom Windsor System: The designers at Scentre Group chose Aqualoo’s custom Windsor system to provide modern, hygienic, and durable solutions for the bathrooms. The system was customised with pedestal legs and angle aluminium behind the frontal panels, replacing the traditional full headrail. This design choice not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal but also improved ease of maintenance. The doors were routed with symmetrical vertical grooves to achieve a sleek and modern look, meeting both functional and design objectives.
2. Fundermax Sereno and Maica Coral Blue Compact Laminate: Fundermax Sereno and Maica Coral Blue Compact Laminate were selected for their robust and long-lasting properties. These materials were used extensively for vanity doors, panels, and play area doors in the parents’ rooms. The choice of Fundermax Sereno provided a tough, durable finish, while Maica Coral Blue added a vibrant yet professional touch. Both products offered excellent resistance to wear and tear, making them perfect for the high-traffic areas of the shopping centre.
3. Aqualoo Royal Privacy Panels: To ensure privacy and comfort in the male bathrooms, Aqualoo’s Royal privacy panels were installed around the urinals. These panels provided a visually appealing and functional solution, contributing to a cleaner, more private restroom experience for users.

Installation Process:

The fitout and installation of the bathroom and parents’ room systems were handled by Jacaranda Industries. Their experience and attention to detail ensured that the high-quality materials were expertly installed to meet both aesthetic and functional requirements. The team worked closely with Scentre Group to ensure that the installation process was completed on time and with minimal disruption to the ongoing redevelopment work.

Challenges:

One of the key challenges faced during the project was ensuring that all materials not only met the functional requirements of durability and easy maintenance but also aligned with the modern, stylish aesthetic of the shopping centre. The use of custom designs and routing for various panels and doors, such as the nappy bin and waste bin doors, required precise planning and execution to ensure they met the specific needs of the space.

Another challenge was coordinating the installation timeline to ensure that all bathroom and joinery fit-outs were completed efficiently, without affecting the overall project schedule.

Outcomes:

The Westfield Knox redevelopment project successfully integrated Aqualoo, Fundermax, and Maica products to create modern, durable, and aesthetically pleasing bathroom and parents' room facilities. The custom Windsor system from Aqualoo and the use of Fundermax Sereno and Maica Coral Blue laminate ensured a high-quality, cohesive design throughout the centre. The privacy panels and the specially designed vanity and play area doors contributed to a more functional and user-friendly environment for shoppers.

By using these advanced materials, the shopping centre now offers enhanced amenities that align with the modern expectations of customers, while providing a robust and low-maintenance solution for high-traffic public spaces.

Conclusion:

The collaboration between Scentre Group, Jacaranda Industries, and the suppliers of Aqualoo, Fundermax, and Maica resulted in a successful outcome that not only met but exceeded the functional and aesthetic goals of the Westfield Knox Shopping Centre redevelopment. The use of high-quality materials, combined with expert installation, has provided long-lasting, visually appealing, and durable solutions for the centre’s bathroom and parents' room facilities.