SECTION
the development. These included the angling
of certain glazing elements away from existing
residential units, the introduction of screening
elements both natural and man-made as well as
utilising the different levels on the piazza level to
assist with view lines to and from the units.
Part of the phased construction of the
development called for the relocation of an
underground service trench linking the two
completed phases on either end of the develop-
ment when the hotel phase was initiated. The
relocation of the sensitive services required
extensive coordination.
Materials
The use of material was informed by the concept,
borrowing from the site’s Highveld heritage in the
use of natural elements and the soft sweeping
lines within the design and merging it with the
notion of affluence associated with the suburb
of Houghton by introducing high precision design
and sophisticated materials such as concrete, steel
and glass to form a cohesive design language that
informs the process.
landscaped areas as well as feeding surplus water
to the golf course.
The development also boasts an uninterrupted
supply of power due to a central power plant
generating electricity to the entire complex.
Glazing
Various models were tested in the refinement of
the glazed façade specification in conjunction with
the mechanical engineers to optimise the use of
both active and passive systems impacting on the
internal building environment. The use of double-
glazing at critical street junctions, together with
the considered placement of services within the
basements, was exercised to reduce noise levels
within the development.
Conclusion
The Houghton Hotel offers an excellent option
for both the leisure and business traveller who
wants the benefit of 5-star facilities outside of
the city but still be close enough to shopping
and entertainment.
SITE PLAN
HVAC and Wet Services
The mechanical services utilises a central chilled
water system serving the entire hotel as well as
the serviced and residential apartments. Fresh
and return air as well as chilled water is fed
through a series of extensive mechanical ducting
routes linked to two central plants housed in the
basement. From here the plant is able to receive
fresh air and expel return air through large skylights
and sidelights in the basement structure. The
ventilation openings are then screened off with
slatted elements. The system is connected
to a BMS system to allow individual metering
throughout the development.
The wet services component to the design
harnesses a central hot water plant servicing the
hotel as well as both the hotel serviced apartments
and residential apartments via a ring main providing
instant hot water to the development on demand.
B-4 houses a water reservoir that provides
potable water to the entire development and a
second water reservoir on the lowest basement
that uses reclaimed water to supply water to all
The Houghton Hotel
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