Ngunnawal
Australian Capital Territory
A grand public promenade and the primary retail arcade of the city, Ainslie Mall has been progressively transformed over a decade to express the urban avenue it is constituted from. Establishing a language grounded in Canberra’s modernist heritage—stone, terrazzo, brass, bronze, and textured concrete – the design approach has been to reinforce the avenue identity as a civic architecture and reenergised public space, elevating retail as architectural experience.
With a strong sense of perspective and open view of floors through the atrium, geometry, rhythm and material form accentuate the linear nature of the mall. Clarifying the hierarchy of built elements forms a contemporary loggia with radiused corners introduced to the rationalised voids. Sculptural cast bronze balustrades and ribbed corian panels frame views, playfully catching the light. The chevron marble and terrazzo floor emphasises directionality, while realigned shopfronts, with frameless curved glass corners and raised height, improve sightlines and tenant visibility.
Through years of thoughtful, sympathetic intervention, Ainslie Mall has emerged as the grand arcade envisioned by the Canberra Centre. Drawing on Canberra’s modernist civic legacy, the design has transformed the precinct into a pre‑eminent destination—one that elevates public life through first‑class amenity, celebrates quality retail and product, and fosters a strong, emotional connection between place and consumer.
Directly supporting our leasing and investment strategy, the architecture enables Ainslie Mall’s positioning as the Canberra Centre’s most desirable retail address. It is a leading asset and benchmark within QIC’s national portfolio, of which we are immensely proud.
Tony Greenland, Creative Director, Seventh Wave
Pascale Youf, Creative Director, Seventh Wave
Richard Ryan, Associate Directors and Project Lead, Universal Design Studio
Suzanne Gaballa, Associate Directors and Project Lead, Universal Design Studio
David Vyce, Interior Architect, Universal Design Studio
Jake Powely-Baker, Interior Architect, Universal Design Studio
Rebecca White, Interior Architect, Universal Design Studio
Jon Sloan, Interior Architect, Universal Design Studio
Nuno Branco, Interior Architect, Universal Design Studio
Jeremy Mather, Director and Project Lead, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Tabarek Abdulateef, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Nikki Butlin, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Brendan Chan, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Peter Howe, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Aaron Hughes, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Hayden Macdonald, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Italo Maranesi, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Shane O’Brien, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Fernando Pino, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Patrick Stein, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Rosy Thow, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Linden Woodward, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Nicholas Woolley, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Roger Clarke, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Vanessa Smyth, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Mani A Zanjani, Architecture Project Team, Trella Architecture & Interiors
Daisy Roth, Interior Architect, Universal Design Studio
Alice Tagg, Interior Architect, Universal Design Studio
Agnieszka Corcoran, Interior Architect, Universal Design Studio
TSA Riley, Project Manager
PCM, Quantity Surveyor
McKenzie Group, Building Surveyor
AWT, Structural Engineer
Sellick Consultants, Structural Engineer
S4B, Mechanical Engineer
S4B, Electrical Engineer
S4B, Fire Services Engineer
Jensen Hughes, Fire Engineer
Vital Design Solutions, Hydraulic Engineer
Surface Design, Facade Engineer
PDA Marble and Granite, Subcontractor
Capital Veneering, Subcontractor
ACT Interiors, Subcontractor
HDM Metal, Subcontractor
LCL Brass Manufacturing, Subcontractor
Blackett Commercial, Builder (Tenancy Base Building Works, Shopfronts)
Advance Building, Builder (Tenancy Base Building Works, Shopfronts)
Seam Design, Lighting Designer
S4B, Lighting Designer