The Malls Shopping Centre

We successfully bid to design the refurbishment scheme for the external environment and main public realm and retail façades of this austere looking 1980’s shopping centre at the heart of Basingstoke.

The broad aerofoil-shape statement canopy creates a new landmark gateway structure to announce arrival at Basingstoke town centre. Striking red fin walls give the entrance added promenance, and are complimented within by the fresh, warm palate of new cladding materials chosen for their long life, durability and low maintenance characteristics.

The old overbearing solid canopies have been replaced with a transparent ETFE cushion roof at high level supported on a new, lightweight steel structure that provides weather protection but also allows the maximum amount of daylight into the public spaces. The new roof over sails the facades allowing fresh air to naturally ventilate the malls like a modern interpretation of a Victorian glass roofed shopping arcade. The rainwater runoff from the canopies provide flushing water to the new toilet facilities. Other sustainable initiatives included solar panels to provide hot water. Further improvements included new lifts to allow greater accessibility.

The goal was to achieve a clean crisp image and a greater sense of space and light which return The Malls to the high-class shopping centre it originally aspired to be.