mastery and architectural design intent was not
compromised. This included flexibility requirements
to reduce the costs associated with future tenant
fitouts and maintenance. This was achieved by
utilising concealed smoke ventilation solutions and
incorporating aesthetically pleasing bulkheads for
smoke compartmentation.
The mall is protected throughout with a state of the
art sprinkler protection installation that incorporated
23,000 sprinkler heads. Additional storage tanks have
been installed in strategic locations to ensure that
while any sprinkler system is being adjusted for future
tenant changes, water can be temporarily stored and
then be reused in the system. The common areas
of the mall received fire departmental clearance
more than a week prior to the mall opening; a feat
in itself considering the fast paced progress for
this type of development prior to opening. This is
a testament to engagement with the local authority
throughout construction.
Technological Innovations
The developer was able to introduce a number of
technical innovations. These include tap-to-pay
parking at exit booms. Digital wallpaper – video
walls surrounding lifts that showcase thematic and
seasonal displays and a first in SA on this scale.
Directional touch screens to help shoppers find their
desired store and fibre optics for speedy, free Wi-Fi.
Landscape Design
The client valued the landscape design as an important
component of the project and its contribution to the
surrounding area. The landscape design compliments
the mall with a totally indigenous landscape that
focuses on creating colourful effects in the landscape.
Planting lines are clean and minimalist, acknowledging
the architecture.
The indigenous landscape includes very strategic
plant choices owing to the potential high wind
conditions of the site, as well as sandy soils and
drought conditions. This strategy was adopted to
ensure that the plants develop and adapt to their full
potential and a fair percentage of the plant choices
are actually plants that occur naturally in the area.
Coral trees were used to colourfully frame the main
road entrances to the mall off Berkshire Boulevard
and to give these approaches visual importance.
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Table Bay Mall