Architect and Builder January/February 2016 | Page 16

AMSTERDAM HOUSE, V&A WATERFRONT, CAPE TOWN
Amsterdam House is the first phase of the new mixed-use Canal
District under development at Cape Town’s bustling V&A Waterfront.
Situated on Dock Road, the key access route into the V&A from
the City, the development sits on a narrow linear site between the
road and canal forming a gateway to both the V&A and the new
Canal District.
The development comprises two four-storey buildings over a
shared basement, the space between them creating a view corridor
from Table Bay to the Noon Gun complex on Signal Hill and aligning
with the bridge that connects the site to the rest of the Canal District.
Each building is fragmented by a generous entrance, atrium and
circulation core. These transparent atria also encourage the visual
link between Dock Road and the canal.
The ground floor façade is recessed in order to create generous
walkways with new retail spaces that will activate the busy
thoroughfare along Dock Road and bring new life to a previously
underused part of the expansive canal network that connects the
CTICC and the V&A.
The integrated façade system to the three office levels above
comprises vision, fritted and spandrel panels with aluminium fins,
designed to allow maximum natural light penetration into the offices
while carefully controlling solar heat gain and glare.
The length of each building culminates in a fully glazed cantilevered
element with screened terraces on every floor providing entertainment
and breakaway spaces for the offices, with spectacular city views
to the south and harbour views to the north.
The floating roof line unifies both buildings, while habitable bridges
link the buildings on the second and third floors allowing the two
buildings to operate independently or as a single entity.

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Amsterdam House has been designed according to best practice
green design principles and is targeting a 5-Star Green Star SA rating.
In December 2015 it was announced that British American
Tobacco South Africa would occupy the south wing of the new
office building. The project is currently under construction, with
completion expected in November 2016. www.dhk.co.za
Client and Developer: V&A Waterfront
Architects: dhk
Project Manager and Principal Agent: AECOM
Quantity Surveyor: BTKM CT
Civil & Structural Engineers:
Nadeson Consulting Services
Mechanical Engineers:
Triocon Consulting Engineers
Electrical, Fire, Lifts & Wet Services:
SolutionStation
Façade Engineers: LH Consulting Engineers
Traffic Engineers: GIBB
Sustainability Consultant: Agama Energy
Health & Safety: Eppen-Burger & Associates
Geotech Engineers:
Kantey & Templer Consulting Engineers
Port & Coastal Engineers: PRDW
Acoustic Engineers: Machoy
Landscape Architects: OVP Associates
Independent Commissioning Agent:
Matrix Consulting Services
Main Contractor: NMC Construction

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