MALL OF TEMBISA, GAUTENG
Mall of Tembisa, currently under construction, is a 42,889m 2
regional shopping centre located in the sprawling township of
Tembisa in Gauteng.
The two-level retail development was designed by MDS
Architecture for McCormick Property Development and is expected
to be completed in October 2020.
Louis Pretorius, a partner at MDS Architecture, says that Mall
of Tembisa’s excellent visibility off the main thoroughfare of
Olifantsfontein Road was a key consideration in the design. “The
entertainment areas are prominent at Mall of Tembisa. There are
two food court areas, one of which includes a children’s play area,”
he says.
The shopping centre design features steel structures that
resemble tree trunks, both at the entrances and internally, where
they extend through cut-outs in the slab to link the floors. Several
design elements evoke the shape, colour and detail of leaves. “The
leaf shape is prominent at the entrances and throughout interior
details such as bulkheads. Leaves are also referenced in the colour
palette and internal murals,” says Pretorius.
There are several promotional courts in the shopping centre. While
each promotional court is treated differently, natural light is abundant
from clerestory windows. The central promotional court takes the
shape of a shield with free-standing steel columns suggesting tree-
trunks like those at the entrances.
Mall of Tembisa has a good selection of food retailers, a gym
and five entrances with ample parking as well as dedicated public
transport areas. There are three free-standing buildings on the site
for KFC (including a drive-through), News Café and Cashbuild.
Pretorius says that the design of Mall of Tembisa has anticipated
possible future extensions in response to customer demand. The
project is being undertaken by McCormick Property Development
in conjunction with KJA Developments. As specialists in low cost
housing, KJA will add the high-density residential components to
what will ultimately be a mixed-use development, including logistic
and commercial developments.
Client: McCormick Property Development
Architect: MDS Architecture
Quantity Surveyor: Quanticost
Structural & Civil Engineer: SCIP
Electrical Engineer: KKA
Mechanical Engineers: Pretocon
Fire Consultant: Fire Safety Designs
Main Contractor: Mike Buyskes Construction
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