African Design Magazine ADM #40 May 2018 | Page 14

LOFTUS PARK PRECINCT
Henzen, his architect wife, the developer
and a landscape architect travelled to
a number of developments throughout
Europe to determine best practice in
piazza design and functionality. The data
derived from this visit allowed the team
to develop a design that considered the
role that landscaping would play as well
as the size and proportion of the piazza
in terms of the surrounding buildings.
“Our primary goal was to create a place
for people to relax in what is traditionally
considered a sports-driven environment.
We also factored in the proximity of
the development to four of Pretoria’s
largest high schools, the University of
Pretoria, the Union Buildings and a
number of embassies in the Arcadia
residential area. Added to the design
considerations was the need to achieve
buy-in from the surrounding residential
area of Clydesdale. After numerous
meetings with representatives from the
local resident’s association, we were
finally able to proceed with the intended
plans. Today, leading members of the
association happily admit that the
development is beneficial to them rather
than having what they had assumed
would be a negative impact on their
lives,” says Henzen.
Phase 1 sets the stage
Henzen points out that apart from
zoning
considerations,
probably
the biggest
challenge
encountered
in the design
phase was the
placement
of each
element to the
satisfaction of
the major tenant
stakeholders.
It was critical
to ensure that
each tenant was
satisfied with
their position
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AFRICAN DESIGN MAGAZINE © | MAY 2018