A retail precinct in Canberra CBD has reclaimed a roadway to create a benchmark for green, pedestrian-focused public space that puts people before cars.
Scotts Crossing, designed by Buchan with Mather Architecture for Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), has transformed an inhospitable laneway between two sections of the Canberra Centre shopping mall into a welcoming, year-round destination for shopping, dining and socialising.
Diverting traffic to basement parking opened the opportunity to pedestrianise the space. Two dynamic canopies were added to provide year-round shelter from the weather and foster microclimates for lush landscaping and seating. Extensive façade upgrades to the adjacent buildings frame the space, which offers new outdoor dining and street trading venues.
The level-one walkway linking the two sides of the shopping centre has been re-glazed, reducing its visual impact. An underused corner has been repurposed as a multi-level hospitality venue featuring a glazed box overlooking the street and a rooftop bar offering panoramic city views. It mirrors the form of the building opposite, establishing a coherent precinct gateway.
Buchan Associate Hayden Federico says the design has flipped the space, which previously had its back turned on the roadway. “Shifting the focus from traffic to people has created a welcoming, open and democratic environment that encourages people to relax and engage in public life,” says Federico. “It is also a catalyst for broader urban renewal, completing an important pedestrian link from the nearby suburbs in the heart of the CBD.”
The project team—comprising architects, landscape architects, way-finding consultants, engineers, urban furniture designers, and highly skilled local contractors—worked in unison to ensure that all design aspects harmonised with the local context and aligned with broader urban aspirations.
The entrance to Scotts Crossing seamlessly integrates interior and exterior, guiding visitors from the high street to the plaza within. Dark brick portals define the entrance and individual shopfronts, celebrating the unique identity of each tenancy while maintaining a consistent aesthetic along each facade. Tenant-driven awnings, signage, and lighting enhance the high-street feel, softened by potted landscaping. Licensed seating areas activate the edges of the public space.
Investment General Manager at QIC, Catherine Carmody, says the project has revitalised the area. “Scotts Crossing has transformed the precinct and the surrounding shopping centre, creating a vibrant pedestrian street that seamlessly integrates retail, hospitality and community spaces. The project reimagines the customer experience, enhancing foot traffic and fostering a dynamic environment day and night.
Prioritising walkability, greenery, and accessibility supports the city of Canberra’s ongoing efforts to reduce car dependency and foster a more sustainable urban future. The project received an Urban Design Award at the ACT Architecture Awards, with the jury recognising the project for “exemplifying the power of thoughtful urban design to reclaim public space”.
📷 Shaw Photography