African project Culross on Main Office Park – South Africa
basement under the building , which is not visible from the road , without much excavation .
The most noticeable feature of the building is Design Balance . The balance of solid and glass . Each façade has been carefully considered and there is no “ back ” to the building . Proportion is a feature of each façade , as well as the bold use of colour . “ This is not always allowed to us , but in this case the client , as well as the tenant , gave us a free hand , and so as in most of our projects , colour features prominently ,” he says .
Sustainable initiatives implemented include the use of light sensors throughout ; limited direct North sun / blank brick walls on the west ; a large covered terrace on the top floor with sliding doors opening onto it , equipped with kitchen equipment and built-in-braai ; and a central triple volume core providing maximum flexibility .
“ Challenges on this project were few ,” says Schlapobersky , “ Mainly because the client and the contractor , barrow Construction , is a firm we have worked with for many years and with whom we have developed a close understanding . Looking back , we believe the project went smoothly . It was completed in nine months including snagging . The building ‘ presents ’ itself to Main Road even though it is only accessible from the main entrance to the Park on Culross Road ,” he concludes . And the fact that Facebook were so quick to snap it up is proof of the design and the construction all coming together perfectly . AD africandesignmagazine . com 59