Transforming a carpark into a sculptural masterpiece, Chadstone Carpark A — Billow redefines public art and functionality.
Chadstone’s Carpark A — Billow — repositions infrastructure as cultural interface: a multi-storey carpark transformed into an integrated urban artwork commissioned by Vicinity Centres as part of its commitment to the public realm. Conceived by Melbourne artist Matthew Johnson, the work operates as a sculptural ribbon across the precinct edge, designed to shift with movement and light. Its voluminous pleats evoke natural forms like petals, canyons, billowing cloud or fabric and creating an artwork that is read at multiple scales, from distant approach to close-range detail. Architects Jackson Clements Burrows and Cera Stribley translated the concept into an architectural framework capable of sustaining its expressive ambitions within a highly regulated building type.
The project’s most compelling story lies in its engineering translation, where artistic intent was converted into buildable reality. Engaged by Hickory Construction as specialist façade contractor, Louvreclad were tasked with delivering the artwork as a durable, compliant and constructible system without compromising the delicacy of the sculptural form. Key challenges included controlling vibration and maintaining structural integrity across four storeys while preserving a slimline outrigger profile designed to disappear from public view.
Originally specified as steel, the support system was re-engineered by Louvreclad into a lightweight, corrosion-resistant custom folded aluminium structure, reducing weight while enabling sharper tolerances and improved longevity. Louvreclad also integrated the crash barrier requirement into the support system, consolidating performance and minimising visual clutter. The process involved iterative refinement through shop drawings, prototyping and detailing — a technical collaboration that effectively made the specialist contractor a co-translator of the artwork.
Louvreclad fabricated and installed 11 kilometres of Platinum Series® aluminium fins, anodised in multiple hues to create a façade that shifts tonally through the day. The fins read as a kinetic field — simultaneously porous and solid — transforming the carpark into an atmospheric surface rather than a static enclosure. A vivid diagonal entry screen, delivered in Barossa Series® aluminium battens powder-coated in Chadstone Pink and Duratec White Gloss, operates as both artwork and wayfinding, and continues internally as ceiling cladding to extend the visual language beyond the exterior.
Billow succeeds because it refuses to separate art, architecture and engineering. It is a landmark artwork produced through specialist innovation: a public-scale sculpture made possible by technical discipline, structural ingenuity and collaborative translation. Captured in Peter Bennetts’ photography and described as “effortlessly wistful and masterfully executed,” the project demonstrates how engineered building fabric can operate as urban art — not applied to infrastructure, but embedded within it.
Reach out today to discuss your facade solution requirements; we would love to hear from you.
"*" indicates required fields
We work with a wide range of clients and partners around Australia who trust our reputation, value our market knowledge and who can vouch for our competence.
"Happy with how Louvreclad works, their process, and how everything went smoothly. Will keep using Louvreclad as the performance they provide with their product is top notch."
"The level of service is about as good as you find in subcontractors. Tech department is helpful and forthcoming with information and solutions. Quotes are always detailed. Install and delivery is always reliable and high quality. Team is always very good to deal with. Products are of really high quality."
"Happy with Louvreclad's design, support, tender process, custom solution, very happy with the outcome once installed, and their service to architects from the earlier stage through completion."
"Good service, good product performance, easy to deal with. Louvreclad are always true to their time, and communication is very smooth."
"The overall build quality is excellent and aesthetically the louvres look great, they complement the digital screen and building. The team at Louvreclad were easy to deal with and responsive during a complex digital media build at a high-profile site in Melbourne."
Infrastructure, Refurbishment
Commercial, Car Park
Commercial
Health, Car Park
Residential, Refurbishment