Architect and Builder December 2016 | Page 27

GROUND FLOOR PLAN The 2nd Avenue project aims to promote the street culture that Bloemfontein is known for and it has been designed in such a way as to keep a connection with the pavements and pedestrians, with accessible public spaces on the ground floors. “For this precinct, and using what fabric we can, we have redesigned existing buildings so as to create a consistent architectural language in the area. We want to create a mix of heritage Bloemfontein and contemporary architecture with classical forms and proportions. We believe that First Place this will breathe new life into the existing shopping mall and Bloemfontein itself. Our practice has been working on this precinct project for the past 10 years, taking into account all the environmental, heritage and traffic issues while creating an accessible design that the community deserves,” Dion says with enthusiasm. The First Place development for FNB is literally the first step in a long term plan to revitalise the heart of Bloemfontein by incorporating a mix of commercial, residential and retail elements, breathing new life into the city. 25