Two Towers
The two towers are coupled by a clear glass roof
which appears to wrap over the point of arrival and
seamlessly envelope both the atrium and the pod-
like structure which houses the five linked floor
plates. The edge of this seemingly floating pod is
open to the atrium, with the intention of activating
this zone with pause areas and collaborative
work spaces.
Sculptural bridges crossing the atrium fan away
from one another and alter in form from one level
to the next. These make the floor plates efficient
and facilitates future flexibility.
Visitors to the building are directed to the first,
above-ground parking basement. From here, two
escalators, housed in a glass lobby, bring visitors
into the light, treed atrium and reception area.
Two lift cores containing a total of seven lifts
carry users from the atrium (and the eight base-
ments below) to the upper floor plates.
Façade
At the centre of the building, the two silvery
glass wings of each tower curve away from one
another, whilst coming closest to one another at
the two lift and service cores. The darker, less
reflective performance glass enclosing ground and
first floors creates the visual effect of a strong
base to the building while the seamless skins of
the north and south glazed wings peak upwards
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and towards West Street. The silhouette of the
building mass behind is carved into the light entity
of the silver wings.
The floor plates taper towards the east and
west gable ends, where complex hidden transfer
structures have been designed to enable the
building to lean outwards towards east and west.
These impressive façades are shaped to create
gentle bends in each face. Their form is further
enhanced by metal fins, which not only texturise
the gable façades but also provide shading.
Lifestyle and Sustainability
The building offers exclusive landscaped roof
terraces on the 8th, 9th and 12th floors, from
which to take in the remarkable, panoramic views
across Johannesburg.
A canteen, situated on ground floor, flows
out into the atrium and onto a partly-shaded,
secluded landscape deck. It also offers a gym,
state of the art auditorium, dedicated cyclist
and motorcyclist bays and shower and change
room facilities to encourage users to commute
by bicycle. The parking bays closest to the
cores are dedicated to those who drive energy
efficient cars.
The building’s highly-engineered, fully glazed
façades and favourable orientation allow for the
maximum natural lighting possible while restricting
glare and heat transmission.
140 West Street