Based on early work by both VARA and Johnson Murray leading up to the Gateway Shopping Centre (by the US firm RTKL together with Johnson Murray in Durban), Nellison Associates from Princeton progressed the idea of a new town centre based on New Urbanism principles of mixed use; a carefully designed and managed public environment; a pedestrian-based, urbane quality of life and a street-related architecture yielding a high level of natural surveillance.
From this early conceptual work, GAPP Architects & Urban Designers were appointed by Moreland Developments to design and detail the entire town centre, prepare the development manual and design code for individual developments, prepare the development framework and detailed precinct plans, handle the conceptual level of landscaping and participate in the design review process for individual developers.
As precincts have taken form and shape, thorough architectural co-ordination has been required to reconcile basements, retail and upper levels of adjacent buildings, and thread the complex array of vehicular and pedestrian movement and urban spaces through at a detailed level including landscaping and urban furniture.