Architect and Builder Dec 2017 / Jan 2018 | Page 61
thereby creating an energy efficient interior.
Strategic internal lighting transforms the new
building at dusk. The Living roof “Green Roof”, with
its beautiful views of the harbour, acts as a social
space for the office, while increasing biodiversity
and helping to reduce the urban heat island effect
created by traditional roof construction.
Conclusion
The building seeks to find a balance between the
requirements of a contemporary office building and
the historic industrial building typologies of the V &
A Waterfront. The aim and intention was to develop
the building’s conceptual underpinnings and façade
resolution to reflect the inherent integrity of these
buildings which were mostly efficient, direct and
honest in the manner in which they responded to
their often pragmatic briefs.
The building is sustainable and well beyond the
requirements of “best practice”. A Green Star “as
built” rating is currently being sought and it is the
first office building in Cape Town to achieve a 6
Star “design” rating. The client’s commitment to
the environment ensured that sustainability sat at
the heart of the design process.
Western Cape. It is also targeting an As Built rating
which will be announced before the end of the
year. This rating is particularly significant given the
scale of the project.
Sustainability
“Sustainable development and green operations
are fundamental to the V & A Waterfront’s overall
development strategy,” says David Green, CEO of
DEVELOPER’S COMMENT
The development of the new No.1 Silo office
building at the V & A Waterfront began with the
intention of setting the new benchmark in South
Africa for contemporary office design. With its
striking design and the award of a 6 star Green
Star SA rating for design by the Green Building
Council of South Africa, the V & A Waterfront
believes that it has achieved this. The No 1 Silo
office development was South Africa’s second
6 Star green office building and the first in the
No 1 Silo
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