Sculptural hard landscaping feature areas, with tiered seating respond to the steep terrain and create an inviting public open space to this new retail precinct. Precast concrete elements with cast-in rebates; rough sawn timber textures and exposed aggregate have been articulated to add character and create sculptural relief to the walls, combined with the use of timber cladding with a Kauri wood stain finish reminiscent of the Kauri forests milled by the early settlers that started the first trade in this area.

Along the perimeter of the basement carpark, facing the street are perforated, patterned metal screens with a diagonal weave of stainless-steel cables providing a framework for plants to grow up in a pattern reminiscent of ‘Raranga’ (Maori Weaving).

The massing up of the building form on the site has been defined by; the steep terrain, Auckland Unitary plan regulations, along with Briscoes’ requirement for two well proportioned, regular shaped floor plates with a shared stockroom on one level. Truck unloading is located at the rear isolated from the public, whilst customer parking is provided in front and undercover parking at basement level below.