African Design Magazine ADM #43 August 2018 | Page 12

THE MARC
B
oogertman + Partners
have designed the unique
envelope, unexpectedly
nestled into the heart of vibrant
Sandton CBD in Johannesburg,
to turn heads. Arup provided
specialised façade engineering
services on the project, supporting
the developer, the architect and
the façade contractor, Geustyn &
Horak (G&H).
The façade’s surface is formed by
a mesh of 5620 alternating gold
and black flat triangular elements
whose vertices follow a nebula of
points scattered in space with a
specific logic.
The Arup façade team approached
the Jewel’s façade panelisation
design by forcing the maximum
number of equal triangles on the
surface and exploring various
combinations
© Geustyn & Horak
of curves.
The goal
being a
smoothly
curving
façade with
a rigorous
geometric
definition
that enabled
simplification
and
repeatability
in fabrication
of the façade
components.
In the end,
the team
The façade being cleaned by the rope access contractor
utilised the
geometry of
Matilde Tellier, senior façade
a spiral, one of the fundamental
engineer at Arup commented, “One
geometric shapes in nature, to
of the biggest challenges with a
solve the need of gradually evolving
building of such unusual geometry
curvature. The spiral is a symbol
was rationalising the façade
that represents the continuous
envelope for efficient fabrication
and gradual widening or tightening,
while adhering to the architectural
rise or fall and has been used
concept”.
over centuries for the beauty,
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AFRICAN DESIGN MAGAZINE © | AUGUST 2018