Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa May/June 2014 | Page 52

The architecture is hoping to set a benchmark for the architectural language of this precinct for the impression of a collection of buildings. Twenty four hour public pedestrian permeability is maintained through the heart of the site, through a collection of urban steps, canopies, planters and other urban landscape responses, bringing the pedestrian directly to a front door address. The site is accessed by vehicle from Kinetic Way with parking allocations on surface grade; 1m up to a raised parking deck; and 2m down to a full sub-basement level. The building entrance 52 is on the raised parking deck, accessible from the street level directly at all hours, which has been conceived as an urban square in feeling and scale. The floorplate of the building has been carefully considered to maximise commercial efficiency, while satisfying the urban responses discussed above. The façades have been articulated to enhance the ‘gateway’ stature; they give measured visual complexity while addressing appropriate Bridgeway