As part of ongoing improvements to the public realm, Manor Lakes Shopping Centre introduced a new outdoor seating zone that strengthens the centre’s role as a local meeting place.
The upgrade focuses on comfort, visibility, and social connection — creating a space where shoppers can pause, gather, or enjoy a quick snack.
Client: Manor Lakes Central
Contractor: Package Landscapes Australia
Originally built in 2006, the shopping centre subsequently underwent a major Stage 2 expansion, which doubled its size to approximately 20,000 sq/m and opened on May 7, 2020. Five years on, and one of the centres side entrance spaces needs a refresh.
The installation features:
- Wandin curved seating with spotted gum battens and robust concrete plinths, engineered for long‑term public use
- Integrated planting pockets that soften the space and introduce greenery into a high‑traffic retail environment
- Hepburn café tables that support quick breaks, outdoor dining, and community use throughout the day
A Site‑Specific Wandin Configuration
Draffin Street Furniture supplied a custom Wandin seating configuration designed specifically for this forecourt. The curved arrangement creates a natural sense of enclosure without restricting movement, forming a social semicircle around Hepburn café tables. This geometry encourages casual interaction while maintaining clear pedestrian flow across the paved concourse.
The layout perfectly demonstrates the power of Draffin Street Furniture’s 3D Configurators, as the entire layout can be configured inside Wandin’s product page 3D Configurator tool, complete with the Hepburn Cafe Tables.
Did you know: Almost the entire Draffin product line has a 3D configurator that can be found on their respective product page. The tool can be used to quickly dial in a furniture spec for quotation. And while Draffin offers greater spec options within standard furniture lines, the majority of options can be dialled in for easy visualisation and validation.
Built for Longevity and Everyday Use
Like all Draffin installations, the Wandin configuration at Manor Lakes is permanently fixed, engineered for structural stability, and designed to withstand the demands of a busy shopping precinct. The combination of concrete plinths, hardwood battens, and powder‑coated steel ensures the furniture will continue performing for many years with minimal maintenance.
A More Inviting Retail Environment
This project demonstrates how thoughtful furniture placement can transform a transitional space into a genuine community asset. The new seating zone adds warmth, usability, and identity to the centre — supporting both the retail experience and the everyday life of the Manor Lakes community.
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