THE CHALLENGE IN GIVING NEW LIFE TO OLD CENTRES
As SVA International nears the completion of the mammoth two-year , R420-million upgrade of one of South Africa ’ s iconic retail nodes , Greenacres Shopping Centre , the project team has outlined the immense architectural and logistical challenges they have managed to overcome . The massive transformation of Port Elizabeth ’ s 46,500m 2 retail icon is set to wrap up in mid-2017 .
The upgrade is one of the many transformations undertaken by the architectural firm , which has had a long relationship with Greenacres , having been at the helm since the design of the original building for OK Bazaars ( now Shoprite / Checkers ), which opened in October 1981 .
According to Jannie Wagenaar , one of the SVA architects heading the project , the revamp has taken Greenacres from an eighties icon and transformed it into a contemporary attraction with floating cantilevered roofs , an abundance of natural light and an airy atmosphere .
“ When Greenacres opened its doors , the in-vogue shopping centre design was very much a heavy geometric-patterned style , with low ceilings and narrow passages ,” said Wagenaar . “ Over the years , shopping centres have developed into very social spaces – the equivalent of the new main shopping streets for communities with wide , flowing walkways , high ceilings and lots of natural light .”
A 35-year-old centre came with many logistical and architectural challenges , including raising the low ceiling – itself a maze of wires and disused equipment – as well as connecting various buildings , which were added on over the years , into one seamless , flowing design . Another aspect was incorporating the needs of modern retail , with increased equipment and machinery needs – all of which is stored on the roof or between the ceiling and the roof .
During the night shift , new ceilings , services and shopfronts were installed – among other major redesign aspects . Come early morning , teams of cleaners would move in to tidy , and working spaces would be boarded up and cordoned off , to ensure shopper safety during that day ’ s trade . This would be taken down again that night as renovation work resumed . The removal or re-positioning of various supporting columns was also a logistical challenge , explained SVA associate Greta Teltschik , who is also on the project team .
“ In the middle of the centre there is the Greenacres office tower – and those columns need to come to ground somewhere [ for structural support ]. So when such columns are removed , it ’ s a type of structural gymnastics which is performed using major reinforcement beams to ensure the structure remains supported ,” she said .
Bringing an earthy and modern feel to the centre was also important , explained SVA associate and lead architect on the project , Shadley Ravat . Details include natural timber strip ceilings celebrating the high entrances , with the timber theme carrying through into the centre ’ s furniture . Multi-glass panelling and green walls at the new entrances – elevated from 4m in the old centre to a striking 12m high with the new design – further enhance the earthy , real feel which is continued with spring-shaped bicycle stands . Now stores spill onto walkways with much less of a divide between them and the general public areas , giving the effect of walking down a main shopping street , Ravat said . www . sva-architects . com
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