Shopping centres: a design analysis

Abstract

This report surveys the "collective wisdom" of the design of shopping centres. Whilst undertaking this survey the history of shopping centres was briefly touched on. The survey consisted of reading, interviews with "experts" in the field of shopping centres and personal observation. The result of the survey showed that experience has developed a series of "rules" which are applied to shopping centre design. This "collective wisdom" was then tested by applying it to a sample of three Wellington shopping centres by means of an architectural analysis devised by Roger H. Clark and Michael Pause in their book "Precedents in Architecture". (see appendix one for an excerpt from the book). The results of this analysis, after being related to the "collective wisdom" showed that the main principles of the "collective wisdom" were applied and that there are several ways in which the "collective wisdom" can be applied. The report conclude by briefly pointing towards the future of shopping centre design. This future reflects personal opinion of the author formed as a result of undertaking this study.