African Design Magazine ADM #43 August 2018 | Page 43

MEADOW POINT SHOPPING CENTRE
centre transforms our perceptions of
the past by re-envisioning the identity of
community centres of a contemporary
retail shopping centre. The contemporary
façade and additions afforded us the
opportunity to design and elevate the
presence of the building by pairing it
with modern materiality and patterning.”
This modernity is seen in the use of
steel work and fashionable colour ways
combined with an understated, neutral
characteristic”.
As the Architect’s objective was to bring
business and the community together
through innovation and sustainable
design solutions, Koen comments as
follows, “The architectural concept of the
new extension and renovation, was to
create a seamless flow between social
spaces and retail shops. The shopping
centre design was to craft a relaxing
space, the project becomes a hybrid of
a market place and public space where
social interactions are more encouraged
among people. We then created a
network of walkways along shopfronts and
a new car park to complete a seamless
experience.”
CHALLENGES
One of the major challenges Koen &
Associates encountered was generating
a design concept that would meet the
developer’s business objectives and yet
address the structural and aesthetic
requirements.
“We had to balance the cost of new versus
refurbishment, to obtain the aesthetic
we were looking for,” says Koen. This
was achieved through the successful
execution of outstanding features in the
forms of the façades and entrance using
steel structures and bold splashes of
colour.
SUSTAINABILITY
As is expected in today’s eco-conscious
environment, sustainable initiatives were
incorporated into the design through
the use of energy and water efficiency
methods.
Design elements such as insulation
and roof vents that allow hot air to
escape were introduced as part of the
refurbishment and window shading and
light coloured roofs were used to reflect
AFRICAN DESIGN MAGAZINE © | AUGUST 2018
43