Architect and Builder February/March 2019 | Page 14

COASTAL PARK, SIBAYA, KWAZULU-NATAL O.R. TAMBO WESTERN PRECINCT DEVELOPMENT O.R. Tambo International Airport recently unveiled the first phase of a R4.5 billion mixed-use development that will see its Western Precinct acquire new offices, retail space, hotel and conference facilities and additional transit-related services.  At a sod-turning ceremony for its Western Precinct development, an 8.5 hectare site, General Manager of the Airport, Bongiwe Pityi- Vokwana detailed the airport’s plans to unlock the development potential of 180,000m 2 of bulk for a mixed-use development to be located on the northern precinct of the airport. Construction begins shortly with an anticipated completion date for the first phase of the end of 2020. Ms. Pityi-Vokwana was joined at the ceremony by members of the Western Precinct Consortium, which won the bid for the first phase. This phase will see construction of three six-storey office buildings, above podium with a floor area of 33,000m 2 .  In addition to this development, O.R Tambo International’s Airports Company long-term Infrastructure Master Plan features midfield cargo and midfield passenger terminals, each requiring several billion rands in further investment. These developments will accommodate growing passenger demand and expand the midfield cargo facilities at the airport to accommodate up to two million tonnes of air cargo annually. The mixed-use development will consist of a variety of buildings which are framed in such a way as to form a boulevard at the international departures level, where a variety of retail commercial and ancillary buildings each open onto a vibrant energetic ‘street’ environment serviced by lively restaurants, corner cafes and bars. The iconic structure will house all the vertical and horizontal circulation functionality in a clear and legible way anchored by the Gautrain station at its core and will provide a unique architectural language to Africa’s largest airport. Ms. Pityi-Vokwana says that ultimately the seven phases of the Western Precinct development will stretch from the site of the old Shade 2 carports in the north to up to where the Southern Sun Hotel is located.  She says that the planned revamp of the airport’s façade will present an entirely new profile in keeping with its size and role in the regional and national economies. The iconic airport development precinct will serve as a catalyst in transforming the Airport hub into an Aerocity. Coastal Park is FWJK’s latest co-development office building situated in Sibaya, KwaZulu-Natal and across the road from FWJK’s Coral Point Residential Development. Coastal Park is conveniently located off the main M4 artery close to both Umhlanga and Ballito, as well as a short drive from King Shaka Airport. This first of its kind development in the new Sibaya Node offers 6,200m 2 of A-grade office space along with 300m 2 of prime retail opportunity. The Sibaya Coastal Precinct offers an architecturally modern, mixed-use sector set within a serene natural atmosphere. Coastal Park sits within the protected environment managed by Tongaat Hulett offering landscaped gardens, retail nodes, high security and resort-style living. The building was designed to rise out of the ground with sweeping lines that stretch out towards the horizon, echoing the iconic Sibaya coastline. Sheltered internal courtyards that break up the building have been introduced and these spaces offer pause areas that allows the large office suites to breathe. The use of natural, earthy materials along with sustainable elements such as vertical timber screens add texture and repetition to the road elevations. The language of the architecture is inherently horizontal in nature which reflects the vast coastline that governs the surrounding scenic views. The office suites are tilted off axis from the main parking grid structure to take advantage of the unobstructed sea views towards Umhlanga. This creates a dynamic piece of architecture with play in two forms that uses planes intersecting one another in plan view. Fundamentally, the building has been designed for ‘place’ and the concept of genius loci has been one of the driving framework ideas. Construction is planned to start in September 2019 with a completion date of December 2020. www.fwjk.co.za Contact Hubert Beuken for more info: [email protected] Development Manager: FWJK South Africa Project Managers: FWJK South Africa Architects: FWJK South Africa Quantity Surveyors: FWJK South Africa Civil/Structural Engineers: NJV Consulting Engineers Wet Services Engineers: NJV Consulting Engineers Electrical Engineers: Quad Africa Consulting Natal Mechanical Engineers: Spoormaker & Partners Fire Engineers: Umlilo Consulting Engineers Architect: Paragon Architects Quantity Surveyor: MMQSMace Main Contractor: Tiber Construction 14 Project Watch