FEATURES
Making design concepts real
A project that stands out, pushes boundaries, turns heads
and is spoken about for years to come is a rare find. Rare
but not impossible.
By Ntsako Khosa | Photos by Cape Reed International
X Park Junior located in Kite Beach, Dubai constructed to boldly banish boredom.
C
reative clients matched with a
designer and contractor with the
same mindset, is a recipe set to
bring innovative roof design. Usually clients
offer their requirements and it is up to the
professionals in the industry to execute as
close to the idea as possible.
Despite tough economic times in the
industry and dismal growth in GDP,
construction projects do pop up from time
to time. In an interview with Safintra, head
of sales and operations, Justin Jackson,
mentions that in 2017 construction in the
industrial and commercial sector amounted
to a handful. “There has been a year-on-
year decline in business in the construction
sector of about 20%.” This however didn’t
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deter clients seeking to change the status
quo of their buildings.
Common practice is that a contractor
tenders for a project, on occasion, the client
may approach an architectural or
construction firm to execute their design.
Firms like Hofman Architects and Cape
Reed International speak of being
contracted to execute their services.
Hofman Architects worked on the Atterbury
headquarters, Die Klubhuis, located in
Pretoria, while Cape Reed offered its
international expertise to a children’s
Paradise Park and an outside area at a
private residence in Dubai.
Architects of Justice (AOJ) is one such
firm; this architectural fraternity was
approached after the client saw one of its
projects. “It was one of our early projects,
Supplementary Extended Education Device
(SEED) Library, a library structure for the MC
Weiler Primary School in Alexandra,
Johannesburg, which led to the practice
being approached by the client,” explains
Kuba Granicki.
The project is situated within Mjejane
Private Game Reserve, a private Big 5 game
reserve incorporated into the Kruger
National Park.
Client requirements
Local or international, clients often seek an
innovative and unique structure that is an
extension of who they are or what they