Architect and Builder December 2016 | Page 16

PROJECTVIEW URBAN EDGE CHURCH, NEW PINEHURST CAMPUS The Urban Edge Church in Durbanville continue to provide communities with great churches. This time it is for the newly established residential zone of Pinehurst behind Durbanville. The new facility accommodates a 1,200 seat auditorium and fully equipped children and youth facilities. Social spaces and a Daycare Centre have been designed to provide accessibility for the community after service and during the week. The church’s vision is to “Connect people to people and people to God”. This slogan formed the basis for the design brief for Bomax Architects, who have created an auditorium, youth halls, classrooms and connecting spaces to facilitate communication to all ages, specifically catering for Mothers with infants, kids, youth, and the disabled. The first phase of the project is currently on site and is progressing well. Client: Urban Edge Church Architects: Bomax Architects Quantity Surveyors: HKQS Project Managers: Guildford Developments Civil Engineers: Lyners Civil Engineers Structural Engineers: BSP Engineering Mechanical Engineers: Ekcon Engineering Electrical Engineers: CA Dutoit Main Contractor: Tailormade Properties 14 AXIS, CENTURY CITY, CAPE TOWN Axis, an iconic high-rise residential development offering spectacular views of Table Mountain and Table Bay into perpetuity, is to be built on a prominent site at Century City in Cape Town at a cost of R400mn. Being developed by the awardwinning Rabie Property Group, the landmark 11-storey building will lift the bar on Century City residential developments providing unparalleled vistas, luxury and convenience. It will comprise a total of 83 one, two and three bedroom apartments including six deluxe penthouses which will exude unashamed luxury and boast entertainment sized terraces of up to 80m2. The 10 one bedroom apartments will vary in size from 58m2 to 74m2, the 60 two bedroom apartments will range from 82m2 to 102m2 while the nine three bedroom apartments will vary from 108m2 to 128m2. Basement parking will be provided on a ratio of one bay for each one bedroom apartment and two bays for all two, three and four bedroom units. Basement stores are also available. The building will have a state-of-the-art external cladding façade and double glazing on all windows on the outer perimeter. The ground floor will also comprise a niche restaurant / cocktail bar flowing out onto a terrace and a boutique retail and office component. Axis is to built adjacent to the Century City Square development, the new commercial and hospitality hub of Century City with its popular restaurants, bars and bustling public square as well as the Century City Conference Centre & Hotel and Virgin Active gym. Peter Stokes of dhk Architects says the ground floor activity of Axis creates a public destination that completes the series of inter-connected public spaces through the Bridgeways Precinct which is also home to Absa’s new regional offices, Chevron, Thomson Reuters, Derivco, Philip Morris, among others. “The concept for Axis compliments the greater urban strategy by creating a series of public, semi-public and private spaces and urban courts. A public urban plaza is introduced as a forecourt and arrival space. This dynamic plaza is fed by routes along the pedestrian network in the precinct that feeds into a sheltered landscaped courtyard at the heart of the scheme. “A series of transparent glazed commercial and public spaces surround the courtyard and provide 360º views of the surroundings. The courtyard spills out onto secure landscaped gardens; providing a place to enjoy sundowners and views of the majestic Table Mountain.’’ He says the compact form of the building wraps around itself and gradually rises up towards the views of Table Mountain, Table Bay and Robben Island. “The unique ‘donut’ shaped form is adorned with visual ‘gashes’ that allow the sheltered walkway spaces to catch glimpses of the city around it; connecting the inside circulation to the outside world. The rising forms cuts away creating dynamic terraces and activity at different heights culminating in the generous penthouse units. To top it all off a panoramic lift is positioned at the pinnacle of the mass, transporting every inhabitant on a scenic journey to their destination.” Storey adds that the building connects to the environment in a myriad of strategic ways and sets a precedent for urban conscious residential developments in the city. Construction is to commence in the New Year and completion is anticipated around October 2018. Project Watch