High Street Armadale: Strategic Temporary Activation

The Context

High Street Armadale is one of Melbourne’s premier destinations for luxury shopping and personal services. However, despite its commercial success, the street suffered from a specific functional deficit: a lack of public seating. Visitors waiting for appointments or shopping partners had nowhere to pause, forcing them to stand or leave the immediate area.

The Stonnington City Council required a solution that would solve this practical problem without compromising the sophisticated visual character of the precinct. The challenge was to introduce street furniture that felt like a natural extension of the architectural identity rather than a generic addition.

The Collaboration

POMO was engaged by the Council to lead the full lifecycle of this project. We managed the process from the initial stakeholder engagement and “design thinking” workshops through to the final fabrication and installation. This project demonstrates our ability to deliver interstate projects seamlessly, coordinating between Queensland suppliers and Melbourne contractors to ensure a flawless install on the ground.

Delivering High Street Armadale: The Implementation Process

Our approach bridged the gap between temporary activation and high quality urban design. We treated this temporary installation with the same rigour as permanent infrastructure to ensure it met the high standards of the surrounding retail environment.

Contextual Design & Fabrication

Rather than installing off the shelf benches, we developed a bespoke design response based on an analysis of the local architectural vernacular. The final form was inspired by the features of a typical Armadale home courtyard. We utilised a customised marble-look treatment to create a high end inviting aesthetic that softened the urban streetscape while remaining durable enough for public use.

Sustainable Material Strategy

We implemented a strict sustainability framework for the build. The design incorporated items salvaged from Council storage which were upgraded and reintegrated into the new structure. This approach prevented the purchase of new materials and ensured that at the end of the project life cycle, most components could be returned to storage rather than sent to landfill.

Logistics & Installation

POMO managed the complex logistics of delivery. We coordinated the fabrication with suppliers in Queensland and Victoria and managed the installation on site with local Melbourne contractors. This ensured the project was delivered on time and with minimal disruption to the busy retail traders on the street.

The Impact

The installation successfully solved the “pause point” problem by providing a comfortable place for visitors to rest, encouraging them to linger longer in the precinct. By grounding the design in the local courtyard aesthetic, the project reinforced the unique high end village character of High Street. It serves as a benchmark for how temporary infrastructure can deliver lasting social value and support the local economy.

Sustainability Outcomes

Social Sustainability Outcomes

  • Responsive to Community Needs: The project’s primary driver was to solve a specific, identified community problem: a lack of seating for people waiting for appointments. This direct response to a practical need ensures the installation is immediately useful and valued by the community, enhancing the daily experience of visitors and residents.
  • Reinforces Local Identity and Character: The design is explicitly “place-driven,” drawing its aesthetic from the architectural features of a typical Armadale courtyard. This approach strengthens the unique character of High Street, making the public space feel authentic and connected to the neighbourhood’s identity, rather than generic.
  • Fosters a Sense of Place and Comfort: By providing a designated “pause point,” the project encourages people to slow down, rest, and engage with their surroundings. This simple act of creating comfortable public seating can increase social interaction and make the streetscape feel more welcoming and community-oriented.
  • Collaborative Visioning: The project involved a placemaking design process that engaged stakeholders in envisioning the key elements. This collaborative approach, even on a small scale, helps ensure the outcome aligns with community expectations and fosters a sense of shared ownership over the public realm.

Environmental Sustainability Outcomes

  • Context-Appropriate Material Selection: While not explicitly stated, a “place-driven” design philosophy that references local materials and finishes often leads to more sustainable choices. It encourages the use of materials that are locally available, reducing transportation emissions, and are suited to the local climate, enhancing durability and reducing the need for maintenance and replacement.
  • Sustainable Material Use: The design utilised plywood rather than milled timber and also salvaged a number of items from council storage that were upgraded for use. This prevented new items being bought. Furthermore most of the items in this installation were returned to the council store at the end of the project for future use rather than being taken to landfill.

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Contact POMO to discuss how we can design and deliver temporary infrastructure that solves permanent problems.



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