![Commercial Bay Retail Precinct / Warren & Mahoney + NH Architecture - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade, Cityscape](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62e1/5404/8c65/b008/5f60/18bc/newsletter/commercial-bay-retail-precinct-warren-and-mahoney-plus-nh-architecture_2.jpg?1658934297)
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Architects: NH Architecture, Warren & Mahoney
- Area: 97500 m²
- Year: 2021
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Photographs:Simon Devitt, Barry Tobin, Sam Hartnett
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Manufacturers: Parklex Prodema, Jura Limestone, The Tile People, Thermosash
![Commercial Bay Retail Precinct / Warren & Mahoney + NH Architecture - Interior Photography, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62e1/548c/8c65/b001/8985/eaae/newsletter/commercial-bay-retail-precinct-warren-and-mahoney-plus-nh-architecture_2.jpg?1658934429)
Text description provided by the architects. Turning the traditional idea of the ‘shopping mall’ inside out, Commercial Bay presents a new model for the retail typology: an open-air, laneway-based retail environment configured over three levels. The project embodies a spirit of generosity, creating two entirely new pedestrian routes through the city block, connecting transit nodes, and enhancing the pedestrian experience of the city center.
![Commercial Bay Retail Precinct / Warren & Mahoney + NH Architecture - Image 17 of 22](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62e1/5687/baf6/1301/65db/eb07/newsletter/20160411-option-1-plan-scale-1-5000-at-a3-21.jpg?1658935141)
At the scale of the city, Commercial Bay seeks to build on Auckland’s emergent ‘sense of self as a laneway city – creating a globally unique laneway-based retail center that is the antithesis of the traditional inwardly focussed shopping mall. We wanted to create an open, connected, threshold-free environment where all felt welcome – turning the idea of the mall inside out.
![Commercial Bay Retail Precinct / Warren & Mahoney + NH Architecture - Exterior Photography, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62e1/54c1/baf6/1301/65db/eaeb/medium_jpg/commercial-bay-retail-precinct-warren-and-mahoney-plus-nh-architecture_1.jpg?1658934497)
![Commercial Bay Retail Precinct / Warren & Mahoney + NH Architecture - Interior Photography, Stairs](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62e1/54d9/baf6/1301/65db/eaf5/medium_jpg/commercial-bay-retail-precinct-warren-and-mahoney-plus-nh-architecture_2.jpg?1658934525)
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This finds form physically in the design of a series of 6 individual buildings - rather than a homogenous podium - separated by lanes and the covered but open air environment; but also in the retail mix where we prioritized the experience of bringing people together with food and beverage over a traditional retail anchor.
![Commercial Bay Retail Precinct / Warren & Mahoney + NH Architecture - Interior Photography](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62e1/53cf/baf6/1301/cfdb/ea89/medium_jpg/commercial-bay-retail-precinct-warren-and-mahoney-plus-nh-architecture_3.jpg?1658934259)
![Commercial Bay Retail Precinct / Warren & Mahoney + NH Architecture - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62e1/54da/baf6/1301/65db/eaf6/medium_jpg/commercial-bay-retail-precinct-warren-and-mahoney-plus-nh-architecture_5.jpg?1658934550)
The design interprets the interior of the project as an extension of the external architecture - working with the existing street levels to create ‘multiple ground planes’ and deliberately blurring the lines between inside and out. The project delivers a simple and legible primary internal circulation sequence orientated by lanes, enabling a sense of urban ‘discovery’ with surprising ‘found’ spaces located within the building. We sought an outcome that was deliberately urban in its materiality – raw and tactile. We utilized a restricted palette of high-quality materials – stone, steel, concrete, and glass contrasted with gold aluminum highlights. Conceptually, we sought to create a series of related but individual ‘buildings’ each with its own identity.
![Commercial Bay Retail Precinct / Warren & Mahoney + NH Architecture - Interior Photography, Stairs](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62e1/54d9/8c65/b001/8985/eaaf/newsletter/commercial-bay-retail-precinct-warren-and-mahoney-plus-nh-architecture_4.jpg?1658934542)
![Commercial Bay Retail Precinct / Warren & Mahoney + NH Architecture - Image 19 of 22](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62e1/5687/8c65/b001/8985/eab1/newsletter/sketch-lane-qe2-cpo-24.jpg?1658934938)
![Commercial Bay Retail Precinct / Warren & Mahoney + NH Architecture - Interior Photography, Stairs](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62e1/53ce/baf6/1301/cfdb/ea88/newsletter/commercial-bay-retail-precinct-warren-and-mahoney-plus-nh-architecture_2.jpg?1658934238)
The external materiality wraps into the lanes, reinforcing the idea of the central lane bisecting city buildings. External lighting quality creates depth, shadow, and texture; planting is extensively integrated throughout. The result is a high-quality civic experience that acts as a consistent ‘frame’ for the individual design expression of the operators within.
![Commercial Bay Retail Precinct / Warren & Mahoney + NH Architecture - Interior Photography, Stairs](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/62e1/548f/baf6/1301/65db/eae9/newsletter/commercial-bay-retail-precinct-warren-and-mahoney-plus-nh-architecture_1.jpg?1658934436)