Architect and Builder August 2016 | Page 68

PROJECT FEATURE LION MATCH HEAD OFFICE LION MATCH HEAD OFFICE Durban ARCHITECTS Emmett Architects QUANTITY SURVEYORS BTKM Quantity Surveyors MECHANICAL ENGINEERS Dihlase Consulting Engineers STRUCTURAL & TRAFFIC ENGINEERS Hatch Goba Consulting Engineers ELECTRICAL & FIRE ENGINEERS BFBA Consultants FAÇADE ENGINEERS Linda Ness Associates LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS Land Art Studios L ion Match is a very strong brand, associated with the iconic lion located on the landmark bu ilding in Umgeni Road, Durban. In 2001, when the Fasic Investment Company bought The Lion Match Company from South African Breweries, they decided to relocate the match manufacturing plant to Rosslyn, Pretoria as its proximity to residential areas was no longer appropriate for health and safety reasons. However, there was still a need for state-of-the-art offices in Durban and the Lion Match Company became the first blue chip company to put down roots in the Point Waterfront. Moreover, the Head Office is the first building to be constructed in Mahatma Gandhi (previously Point Road) in decades. The R80 million new Lion Match Company building includes a five storey 5,000m2 mixed use development made up of a 2,000m2 distribution warehouse, corporate offices, retail space and covered parking. Client Brief and Project Concept Chairman, Mr Gora Abdoola had a strong idea of what he wanted and design of the new premises was awarded to Durban-based architectural firm, Emmett:Emmett INTERIOR DESIGNER Partners in Design MAIN CONTRACTOR GCP Projects SA PHOTOGRAPHY Grant Pitcher Andrew Brown Fronted by the company’s iconic golden lion, the building was designed to blend with its portside location with decks and sails and floor to ceiling glass that provides magnificent views over South Africa’s largest and busiest harbour 66 Lion Match