The Civil Engineering Contractor May 2018 | Page 20

ON SITE
Rosebank Link at 173 Oxford Road will be
15-storeys high and clad in glass and steel.
illuminate the pedestrian thoroughfare below.
Indigenous plants on the roof are part of the overall
design of the development. The green roofs are aimed
at complementing the installed energy- and resource-
efficient HVAC systems, literally taking greenery to
new heights. The purpose is to create a hub of calm in
a bustling commercial space.
Smart metering throughout contributes to the
development’s ‘green’ credentials, which also include
motion sensor-based internal lighting, backup water,
and full backup on-site power generation.
The building is designed and will be operated in an
environmental and sustainable manner. Passive building
design techniques and environmental considerations
will meet a 4-Star Green Star rating, creating a
healthier and more productive environment.
Challenges
The design constraints began with having to work
within a small and narrow site to fit the client’s
brief, while working within certain limitations of the
Rosebank town planning regulations. Each decision was
interdependent on the other. The architecture, budget
feasibility, client requirements, structure, construction,
services, town planning, and building management had
to be understood and accommodated, while creating
a piece of architecture that combines contemporary
South African architecture with innovation and design.
Being in such close proximity to other buildings
created limited site access, compounded by the fact that
the building site coverage is 100%, leaving no obvious
on-site storage space. In addition, there is only one
access route for construction vehicles, off Oxford Road,
which is often hindered by the Gautrain commuters and
mall visitors. WBHO had to negotiate these logistical
18 - CEC May 2018