Long defined by its limitations, Mirrabooka Town Square has undergone a considered transformation that repositions it as a welcoming, active and resilient public space. Located within one of Australia’s most culturally diverse communities, the project responds to decades of underperformance, where a carpark-adjacent plaza, poor visibility and limited activation had contributed to ongoing social challenges.
Led by Hatch Consulting through extensive community engagement and visioning workshops, the brief was clear: create a safer, more inclusive and better-used civic space while working within the constraints of an existing, heavily built environment. Rather than defaulting to wholesale demolition, the design team retained and reworked much of the existing infrastructure to deliver both environmental and social value.
Central to this transformation is a strategic shift from “grey to green”. Existing concrete surfaces were selectively cut and adapted to introduce planting zones and increase canopy coverage, improving urban cooling and stormwater performance. Retained structures, including walls, shade elements and lighting, were preserved and reinterpreted, while public art by Indigenous artists brings new layers of cultural identity and visual richness to the space.
Equally pivotal to the project’s success is the integration of Streetlife’s public realm furniture, which plays a defining role in shaping how the square is experienced. At the heart of the design sits the Rough&Ready Tree Isle, a multifunctional element combining generous planting, integrated seating and embedded LED lighting. More than a focal point, it establishes a clear spatial anchor that encourages gathering and supports use well into the evening.
Previously underutilised concrete retaining walls have been transformed through the addition of Accoya-topped Rough&Ready seating, introducing warmth and tactility while extending dwell time. Complementing these are the Rough&Ready Cube seating elements, which offer flexible, informal seating arrangements that respond to the diverse ways people occupy the square, from socialising and resting to community events.
Rather than treating seating as an afterthought, Streetlife’s elements are embedded into the spatial and social framework of the design, enhancing comfort, durability and cohesion. Their robust materiality ensures longevity, while the consistent design language ties together the various interventions across the site.
Addressing safety was another critical component of the project. The introduction of a late-night café with an outdoor terrace overlooking the square provides passive surveillance, supported by improved lighting and increased activity. Combined with the reconfigured layout and enhanced amenity, these interventions have transformed the square from a place to pass through into one to linger in.
Since its revitalisation, Mirrabooka Town Square has been embraced as a renewed civic hub, supporting daily gatherings, markets and cultural events. The project demonstrates how thoughtful interventions, community insight and durable public realm design can successfully regenerate suburban public space.
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