African Design Magazine Africa's Top 10 Projects of 2015 | Page 18

MultiChoice, South Africa’s premium broadcast provider has undertaken to
establish its primary headquarters in the hustling and bustling Randburg
business district in Johannesburg, South Africa. As an extension of the
existing campus, MultiChoice City now has a new facility that boasts a
state-of-the-art energy centre with a Green Building Council 5 Star Design
Certification.

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ited on the prominent corner of Bram Fischer and Republic Road,
the contemporary design by GLH Architects comprises four parking
basement levels and four office levels of approximately 35 000m²
generously arranged around a striking central atrium. A subterranean
tunnel links the new and old parts of the campus, alleviating traffic
pressure on the local road network, and a bold angular pedestrian
bridge still under construction, will connect internal pedestrian traffic
around the campus over Bram Fischer Drive.

The central feature of the building is the curvilinear façade nicknamed the “bean”. It is
easily distinguishable with a glazed brise soleil for sun control. The edge of the “bean”
morphs the urban edge of the building drawing in pedestrians from the street. The
indigenous gardens at the buildings entrance enhance the sense of arrival.

In addition, the building has a multi‐storey atrium consisting of several pause areas
for staff and visitors to sit, relax and interact. A coffee shop is located under the “bean”
which spills out into the atrium. Furthermore, Bridges overhead link the office spaces
and meeting rooms on the upper levels of the building. A gym on the fourth storey is
open to staff of the MultiChoice group which boasts an amazing view over Sandton
and Johannesburg City.
Having an EFTE roof spanning 22m across the multi‐storey atrium, MultiChoice City
will hold the record for the largest ETFE roof design in Africa upon completion. This
revolutionary roof design is a high tech three layer plastic system which creates large
free form inflated panels. The outer layer has a high density print to improve the
thermal performance of the roof while still allowing in light.
From the inception of the project, focus was placed on the sustainability of the building. Features, like the double façade, were incorporated into the building to ensure
it conforms to green design. As the building boasts a 5‐Star Design rating according
to the Green Council of South Africa, MultiChoice City was designed in accordance to
receive a 4-Star Green Star office design v1 rating from the Green Building Council of
South Africa (GBCSA).

This is not entirely new to MultiChoice as in the past few years there has been a drive
towards make things energy efficient and green where possible.

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