The shops are host to a new exhibition, Suburban Utopia, which features design plans created by a group of students as part of their university coursework, with input from Aranda residents.

Chris Dennis, the owner of coffee roasters Two Before Ten, has installed his popular cafe and a community library on the formerly derelict site, with more plans to open a bar, a pizzeria, a yoga studio and massage therapy rooms in the complex.

Mr Dennis and leaseholder Gabriel Gaha also invited students from the University of Canberra to produce design ideas for the shops.

Under the supervision of architect and lecturer Bronwen Jones, herself a local resident, they've put together plans that include a huge glass window down one side of the shops, or a big terrace where children could play at the back, or a new set of doors on the street frontage.

"It's been a great opportunity for students to look at this as an issue, and it's not unique to Aranda shops. There are lot of local shops that are underutilised. They're what I call voids in our urban fabric," she said.

But she also allowed the students' imaginations free rein. "I wanted them to dream big."

Student Cornelius Pau said consulting residents had brought out plenty of issues.

"They wanted a place that was safe for the kids. They wanted some light through the place, and a place where they can sit outdoors in summer and warm in winter," he said.

And, of course, they wanted to make sure there was plenty of parking.

Suburban Utopia is on display at the Aranda shops, Bandjalong Crescent.