PROJECT FEATURE
THE
SANCTUARY
THE SANCTUARY
Somerset West
DEVELOPERS & PROJECT MANAGERS
Abacus Asset Management
ARCHITECTS
SVA International
QUANTITY SURVEYORS
IQS
TENANT CO-ORDINATOR
Wilkinson Construction & Management Services
CIVIL ENGINEERS
Icon Consulting Engineers
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
KLS Consulting Engineers
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
Ekcon Consulting Engineers
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
CNdV africa Planning & Design
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS
Doug Jeffery Environmental Consultant
HEALTH & SAFETY CONSULTANTS
Eppen-Burger & Associates
A
n ecologically sensitive development is quietly making waves on the banks of a
32,000m 3 rehabilitated wetland in Somerset West.
The Sanctuary, set against the backdrop of the Helderberg Mountains with
sweeping ocean views, is a work-shop-play, mixed-use retail and office development
along the busy R44 thoroughfare. Opened in October last year, it is the brainchild of
Abacus Development Company and was brought to life by Cape Town-based SVA
International architects.
Aptly named, The Sanctuary aims to minimise the impact of its presence on the
environment, while gently encircling the stormwater detention pond that lies at its
heart. This multi-faceted development comprises a 6,000m 2 convenience retail offering
on the ground floor, plus 6,000m 2 of AAA-grade office space and a 2,500m 2 gym on
floors one and two, as well as several waterfront destination eateries, two drive-through
restaurants and 740 external parking bays.
Design Concept
Architecturally speaking, the high-end boutique shopping centre combines a
contemporary aesthetic with the highly textured building materials synonymous with
the Cape Winelands.
The form of the building was largely determined by the mix of uses required of the
site and their relation to the natural elements of water, sun, wind and mountains.
MAIN CONTRACTOR
NMC
PHOTOGRAPHY
Adam Letch
The pond is the result of a
team effort by a botanist,
freshwater specialist,
land-scape architect and civil
engineer to design a habitat
rich in biodiversity potential
52
The Sanctuary