[COM] Rundle Mall Redevelopment | $30m

[pushbutton]

Here's an idea for what it's worth. Why not expand on the idea of the silver balls in the middle of the mall (a public artwork which is quite good) by having some slightly smaller balls (not on top of each other just loose) which have water pouring from numerous holes in them.

I'm thinking of 2 or 3 balls of differing sizes at each end of the mall (not near the existing balls but at the extreme ends of the mall).

This would make a great new water feature (much better than the grotty old fountain we currently have) and be a great artistic addition to complement the existing balls.

They could also be a sort of entry statement into the mall.

[monotonehell]

I think the fountain could do with some restoring, but it does complement Adelaide Arcade (which could also do with some restoration).

If they move the fountain toward the entrance, as I think was mooted, and restored both the fountain and the arcade to look properly 1885 but also retain its ability to function as a shopping destination, I think it would add to the attractions of the Mall. Already I see many tourists photographing the Arcade's façade and the fountain.

Right now both look a little tired and smothered under many coats of paint. Restore and make a show of them I say.

Contemporaries in other capitals:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Strand_Arcade
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_Arcade,_Melbourne

(Before anyone goes off half cocked, the arcade is owned by private interests not the Council.)

[rhino]

I think the pigs are great, as is the statue of Roy Rene in Hindley Street.

Pushbutton, I'm interested, do you think the Belgians are embarrased by Brussels' Mannaken Pis? I don't. Would a bronze copy of Manaken Pis doing his thing in that rubbish bin be less embarrasing than Oliver (the pig)?

[Ben]

Project is only $30m?

[neoballmon]

I like the fountain personally, I think it has character. My profile picture on Facebook for a good 2 years was actually a picture of my now-ex and myself standing in front of that fountain, and the fountain just made the picture what it was.

As for the pigs, I also like them, I always see people taking photos on them, and I don't really think they're in the way either, as the last time I was at the mall, I just walked right between them to get to the Myer Center.

[pushbutton]

I think the pigs are great, as is the statue of Roy Rene in Hindley Street.

Pushbutton, I'm interested, do you think the Belgians are embarrased by Brussels' Mannaken Pis? I don't. Would a bronze copy of Manaken Pis doing his thing in that rubbish bin be less embarrasing than Oliver (the pig)?

I think the Mannaken Pis has it's place (and is in the right place), but I would be embarrassed if it was in the middle of Rundle Mall.

Likewise pig statues might be perfectly appropriate in some locations. Maybe outside the entrance to the state library for example. But again, not in the middle of Rundle Mall.

It's not that I'm prudish. I just think the mall isn't the right place for something like that.

What would be appropriate in Rundle is something stylish, modern, pleasant, and fun (such as the ball fountains I suggested earlier).

[monotonehell]

What would be appropriate in Rundle is something stylish, modern, pleasant, and fun (such as the ball fountains I suggested earlier).

A wet ball is fun and pigs are not? The pigs are interesting, they engage people's interest and curiosity. They tick all the boxes of good public art. A wet ball is just a wet ball, well except for the the added feature of being a waste of water. You do know that the pigs are made of bronze and are not real pigs ... right?

[Matt]

Long live the pigs... as for the fountain, it'd look fantastic ground into mosaic.

[Nathan]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/new-plan- ... 6554673119

New plan for Rundle Mall's iconic Mall's Balls

THE Mall's Balls would be moved to the King William St entrance of Rundle Mall under a new motion to be considered by Adelaide City Council later this month.

At the January 29 council meeting, Councillor Anne Moran will push for the Mall's Balls to be moved to the middle of the western end of the shopping strip.

Under the council's $30 million master plan, the landmark sculpture is to be shifted 3m south to help create a clear view to the foothills in the east.

But the sculpture's creator, Bert Flugelman, 89, has said the move would "destroy the symmetry" of the mall.

Ms Moran said her idea "solves everything".

"It would be a much more prominent site than it is now," she said. "It would still keep the planners happy because it would leave an open sight line to the hills.

"If you left the balls where they are it would really screw around with the designers' vision."

Councillor Sandy Wilkinson will move at the same meeting that both the Mall's Balls and the fountain, at the centre of the mall outside Adelaide Arcade, be kept where they are.

Mr Wilkinson said he was not opposed to Ms Moran's idea, as it would allow the silver balls to reflect the historic Beehive Corner and Darryl Lea buildings, creating an impressive entrance.

The important thing was to keep the sculpture centred in the mall so it evenly reflected the buildings either side.

The fountain did not need to be moved, although making its base smaller to reduce its footprint was an option, Mr Wilkinson added.

Ms Moran favoured shifting the fountain closer to the entrance of Adelaide Arcade, in line with a petition signed by 9000 shoppers objecting to plans to move it to a laneway off the mall, to North Tce or to Creswell Gardens.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood agreed, saying the historic arcade and fountain were "a good match".

He said clearing the mall's centre by shifting both features to one side would allow better access for emergency vehicles and help the proper implementation of the master plan.

"What is more important, the integrity of a single piece of art or the integrity of the design of the whole mall?" Mr Yarwood said.

Does Cr Moran even read the masterplan documents? I don't believe anywhere does it mention the view to the foothills. It's being done to improve sight-lines to neighbouring stores, open up the mall, and improve access for emergency vehicles and delivery trucks (so they don't have to battle with pedestrians or awnings). Any positioning of the balls and fountain in the middle, regardless if it's near it's current location or at the end - works contrary to those goals. It certainly doesn't "solve everything".

Seriously why is it always Crs Moran and Wilkinson that have to act contrary to everything?

[Wayno]

the 'view to the hills' agenda pops up repeatedly with Moran & Wilkinson. The proposed Victoria Square arbor is another example. They complained the proposed arbor would 'block the view' for someone standing outside the central markets on grote street looking east. sigh.

[crawf]

You would think that the city is the only place you can admire the hills...

Maybe they should move to the hills, so we don't have keep listening to their contasnt negativity or ridiculous motions. The Mt Lofty Ranges look better from the suburbs anyway.

[claybro]

Note to all Adelaide Councillors:
1.The Adelaide Parklands are neither "world renowned" or iconic. In fact they stifle growth and create a barrier between the city and inner suburbs creating "dead zones" Most people interstate and overseas have never even heard of them.
2.The view of the hills while familiar to Adelaide residents is nothing of real note either, and if Adelaide had any other features on it's rather unremarkable plane, the hills would be invisible.

[Wayno]

This is from AdelaideNow, written by a Hassell architect, and not a mention of views to the hills.

THE redesigned Rundle Mall will be clearer, less cluttered, and create a welcoming sense of openness, writes Ben Willsmore.

------------

AS ONE of the first pedestrian malls in the southern hemisphere, Rundle Mall was traditionally a distinctive and exciting shopping destination - a place where people went to see and be seen.

Growing up, I fondly remember walking the shopfronts at Christmas to stare in awe at the amazing window displays. Going to Rundle Mall was an event.

Times have changed. The Mall is experiencing increased competition from local suburban centres and online retail.

Change is required to reinvigorate the Mall as the state's premier retail precinct and ensure its long-term competitive edge.
A visit to Rundle Mall should be an exciting and memorable experience. In its current form, permanent structures through the centre funnel crowds of shoppers down either side, making it difficult to browse at leisure.

Views to shopfronts and across the Mall are in places obstructed and there has been little to encourage people to stay in the Mall after 5pm.

Last year Adelaide City Council engaged HASSELL, together with ARUP, BB Architects, Jam Factory, Fringe, DCS, Diadem and Aquatek, to undertake the "most significant transformation of the Mall since its creation".

We have worked closely with council, the Rundle Mall Management Authority and other key stakeholders to develop a design that will make the Mall much more than just a retail strip. It will be a destination where locals and visitors will want to stay longer to shop, meet and be entertained, during the day and into the evenings.

When visitors arrive at the redeveloped Rundle Mall, they will step into an inviting, open public space, light and lush, with a clear view through the Mall and to the foothills.

Openness gives grandeur, and that is what we want to bring to the precinct. We want people to feel a sense of arrival.

We want to reveal the qualities that make Rundle Mall unique.

When it is redeveloped, you will be able to see into and along the Mall; you will be able to see across to shopfronts and the heritage facades above; and most importantly you will be able to freely experience the colour and life people bring to a vibrant Rundle Mall.

By opening up its centre, people will have more space to meander at their own pace.

They can stop, look around, window-shop at leisure and chat to friends they encounter without feeling obliged to keep moving for fear of blocking foot traffic.

Beloved features that are synonymous with the Mall - the Pigs, Girl on a Slide, the Mall's Balls - will be offset from their central location but they will remain important meeting places, with improved seating and shade around them.

An open mall will also allow better access for emergency services and delivery vehicles.

As for the Rundle Mall Fountain, shifting it closer to Adelaide Arcade is one of the options being considered. No final decision has been made at this stage and council will take into account feedback when considering the eventual location.

As part of the design, we will double the number of trees along the Mall's length to provide greater areas of shade. They will be spaced to reveal attractive historic facades such as Beehive Corner and beneath the trees will be high quality, user-friendly amenities such as bike racks, drinking fountains and comfortable seating.

There will also be busking spaces along both sides of the Mall, as well as "plug and play" service points for pop-up stalls, market stands, entertainment and community displays.

This, along with the new lighting system suspended between buildings, will ensure visitors will always find something different happening in the Mall, day and night.

The redesign is able to address some aims of the original development, which were not achieved in 1976, such as the use of natural stone paving and the consolidation of a central drainage line - all of which will help to improve the presentation of the Mall and pedestrian and disabled access.

The visitor experience is the focus of the redevelopment. The design balances the Mall's heritage with the needs and expectations of today's and tomorrow's users.

Construction will begin in the coming weeks. When the redevelopment is fully unveiled later next year, we are confident the vision and hard work of so many talented local professionals will be embraced and enjoyed by all.

Ben Willsmore is a senior associate and landscape architect at HASSELL and project design leader for the Rundle Mall redevelopment.

[neoballmon]

This is from AdelaideNow, written by a Hassell architect, and not a mention of views to the hills.

When visitors arrive at the redeveloped Rundle Mall, they will step into an inviting, open public space, light and lush, with a clear view through the Mall and to the foothills.

You mean other than that one?



Interesting article though, thanks. This development is growing on me, and I think it will work quite well once complete.

[Wayno]

er, um, he's clearly referring to the 'other' foothills...