As a function of the times , the price of granite is at a relative historic low , whilst the price of glass is at an historic high . It is therefore fitting and prudent that a financial house should finesse the prevailing market forces in the costeffective commissioning of its own head office . Light on glass but heavy on granite , the design is modern ( even futuristic ) but wrought from the most traditional of materials .
Robert Silke & Partners is the Design Architect in association with Project Architects , LKA . Robert Silke ’ s Jessica White has also carried out the interior design for Citadel ’ s internal areas and most of its sub-tenancies .
Whereas the traditional notion of “ citadel ” is walled and introverted , the new head office is charismatic and gregarious in its interface with visitors . This is one citadel that does not wall itself off from its environment , as the new head office is designed for Citadel ’ s clients as much as its staff . Despite the presence of state-of-the-art security systems , the ground floor of the building is open and welcoming and extroverted .
Picking up from the stone facade , marbles and warm metals on the public ground floor give way to an oak-treaded helical staircase up to softer , warmer “ club ” environment upstairs . With predominantly wooden flooring , the first floor offers panoramic views of Table Mountain over the tree canopies . The area is intended to evoke a tree-house or club-house feeling in the
client , with the overriding sentiment of , “ I belong here .” A well-sized break-out area downstairs leads to a private entertainment courtyard and an impressive 140-seat raked auditorium , with impressive bar facilities .
The interiors are , like the facade , distinctively modern in form but traditional in material and substance .
Leathers , marbles and coppers are the order of the day , whilst seating is svelte and sophisticated - as opposed to over-stuffed and lavish . There are no gold taps and there is no fur on the handrails .
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