wanted make sure the design was open and
interactive. While the development’s western
side is open and multi-levelled, the eastern side,
which faces the CJ Saunders Park, is mostly glass.
The idea was to create something unique on the
park side which gives back to the surroundings.
By using glass, the light reflects off the building in
a sensitive and ever-changing manner.
Outside Spaces
More than 3,500m² in size, the generous open
square features an amphitheatre, grassed spaces
and substantially sized planters with Fig trees that
will ultimately grow to create a lush and shady
canopy over the square. Communal tables draw
people out of the interiors to further activate the
space. The retail section opens onto the square
which means shops and restaurants are easily
accessible to the square as an extension of
their premises.
Linear directional paving channels people
through the building’s elements, linking with the
surrounding buildings and amenities such as the
CJ Saunders Park, Gateway Theatre of Shopping
and a proposed nearby GO!Durban Integrated
Rapid Transport Network stop. The piazza’s paving
is more static and encourages people to stop and
use the common break areas like benches and
incidental grassy areas. The space is not overly
designed and has been left open, dynamic and
versatile for people to use in a way which comes
naturally to them.
Retail
The retail section, ±4,500m 2 in size, includes the
Retail Arcade, the development’s main artery
Park Square
which seamlessly links the open square on the
western side with the CJ Saunders Park on the
eastern side. The arcade’s orientation allows you
to see the park through the main building. The
connection between the two elements is framed
by the park’s trees and those on the square to bring
natural elements closer. The secondary corridors
are wide enough to accommodate informal
retailers such as food trucks or craft stalls and
will allow creative elements such as murals and
art installations.
There are no dead ends within the building
which reinforces the easy flow of people through
the different sections. 170 covered retail parking
bays and approximately 50 street parking bays
ensure ease of access. A carefully considered
retail mix means that office workers and the local
community will rarely need to leave the precinct
to shop anywhere else.
Multidisciplinary Service
Arup delivered full multi-disciplinary engineering
services comprising of civil, structural, mechanical,
electrical, public health, fire and façade engineering.
In addition to this they also provided sustainability
and environmental consulting services for the
Green Star rated development.
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
An integrated multidisciplinary offering such as
this allowed Arup to realise the many benefits
of working in a BIM - centric environment.
These benefits also extended to the client and
main contractor.
Another benefit of working in a 3D virtual
environment is that design decisions can be
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