THE BRICKS & PAVING
Project and lead design architect, Joe Struwig, of dhk architects, described the structure as
“new look retail architecture.” “The success of the design lies in the simplicity of its plan – a
cross-ring mall with retail anchors in each corner,” explained Struwig.
He said a number of green design principles were applied to the development such as the use
of local materials. This included the 1 617 000 Cape pavers, supplied by Corobrik, and used to
pave more than 30 000m2 of the mall and precinct sites.
Concerned about the sheer size of the paving area, Gareth Leonard, urban design architect of
Landmark Studios, said his team considered the options available. “We were apprehensive
about the extent of paving required, particularly if we had to go for the more common precast
concrete pavers,” explained Leonard. Although they engaged with several suppliers, it was
eventually decided that concrete pavers would not be the right choice for the development.
Added to this, the municipality had stipulated that no planting or landscaping was allowed in
the central medians in the road, which increased the amount of paving across the site.
“With the sheer amount of hardscape required, we found ourselves in a bit of a dilemma as
concrete paving also tends to lose its colour over time, resulting in a dull and generally flat
landscape.” Leonard said it was at this juncture that Corobrik was engaged, and the option of
clay paving was brought to the table. “One of the primary drawcards of the traditional clay
paving is the strong colour which permeates through the paving unit, but also the fact that clay
paving units have a considerably longer lifespan than concrete pavers. Corobrik presented us
with an ideal scenario, clay pavers which have a more vibrant colour, longer lifespan and an
excellent, cost-effective, end product,” said Leonard.
Deciding on what colour took a number of weeks before the landscaping team settled on the
deep red of the Constantia paver, edged with the yellow Wheatstone paver. “The Constantia
red provided a great colour contrast with the landscaping and planting, while the Wheatstone
provided a suitable and identifiable break in the larger expanses of Constantia paver,” he
explained. This theme was carried throughout the development, from the surrounding roads
and walkways into the mall itself.
Commenting on the brickwork design, Leonard said that, after consultation with the civil contractor
and paving installers, the team opted for a simple staggered stretcher bond running parallel with the
walkways. “We also modified the width of the walkways, where possible, so that full paving modules
could be used without the need for excessive cutting.” Leonard said they were very happy with the
finished result. “It’s simple and understated while, at the same time, the depth of the Constantia colour
adds considerably to the project and lifts the landscaping, both hard and softscapes to another level.”