Developed by QIC Global Real Estate, the Marketplace is a naturally ventilated fresh food precinct in the heart of Melbourne’s rapidly growing North-Western suburbs.

Our team worked with Archer Office through concept design to develop optimal passive elements, such as the size and shape of skylights that allow greenery to grow beneath it, whilst minimising excessive solar gain. The use of greenery and plants is central to healthy, human-centred design as plants have been shown to filter air and assist in removing toxins. Research demonstrates they also stabilise temperatures (further supporting thermal comfort), while promoting health, wellbeing and assist in reduce stress levels.

The Marketplace encompasses a diverse range of experiences within one sprawling area. An overarching trellis canopy encompasses the series of retail pavilions beneath, extending the landscape and bringing the outdoors in.

To allow customers a relaxed and comfortable shopping experience, regardless of the weather, our team modelled all elements of the building to ensure thermal comfort and building efficiency were appropriately balanced. The use of thermal comfort models and CFD computations enabled design elements including trellis angles and shading. Our analysis included an examination of air temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity, air speed, metabolic rate, and clothing insulation within a Predicted Mean Vote assessment, to determine which elements would enable occupants to feel the most comfortable within the space.