Architect and Builder January/February 2016 | Page 4

EDITORIAL SHELLEY WOODE-SMITH | EDITOR OUR TEAM EDITOR / SALES Shelley Woode-Smith 021 683 3766 [email protected] ASSISTANT EDITOR / SALES Louise Fenner-Solomon 021 712 0570 [email protected] CONSULTING EDITOR Diana Woode [email protected] On the positive front, business confidence in the construction industry has increased slightly – we need to hold onto what we can! ACCOUNTS Bonnie Ah Shene [email protected] PUBLISHER / DESIGN Peter Fenner-Solomon 021 712 0570 [email protected] 1 Year / 6 Issues 2 Year / 12 Issues INTERNATIONAL 1 Year / 6 Issues 2 Year / 12 Issues R320 exc. VAT R580 exc. VAT R640 exc. VAT R1 160 exc. VAT HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Email us your subscription choice: [email protected] CONTACT US TELEPHONE [phone] FACSIMILE 086 551 8323 EMAIL [email protected] WEB www.archibuild.co.za 2 This issue sees some wonderful Western Cape-focused projects. Pam Golding on Main is a development which positively contributes to the pedestrian atmosphere in Kenilworth, Cape Town. It is the flagship Western Cape Regional office for Pam Golding, incorporating their Southern Suburbs Sales and Rentals divisions. The old Standard Bank Towers building on the Foreshore has had a major renovation, with the main point of interest being a stunning new façade. Now known as The Towers, this ‘tired old lady’ has been transformed and has sparked a renaissance of sorts as a number of buildings have also had facelifts. SUBSCRIBE SOUTH AFRICA T he beginning of the year has already seen plenty of adverse action with our economy hovering above junk status, the saga of Nklandla and our president, the ongoing drought and much more. What continues to sustain me though is the fact that we, as South Africans, have developed a wonderful sense of humour which helps us through some trying times. Take, for example, the ad on the internet which has put the Nklandla homestead up for sale. “Equipped with almost any amenity an international stately family would require, complete with security operational quarters, helipad & underground bunker with seamless “panic-mode” transit rail - this kingdom of exclusivity is a secure dream in the heartland of balmy KwaZulu-Natal,” reads the advertisement. The government has yet to comment. It’s always good to laugh! The Mirage in De Waterkant consists of 66 apartments, two levels of retail space and a 63-room, five-star hotel. This contemporary mixed-use development has changed the De Waterkant cityscape. Our final project is Touchstone House, Cape Town, which shows interesting retention of a historical façade within the design. There were some exciting challenges in retaining the original façade and this is an excellent example of a building which successfully combines the old and the new. Lastly, our Interior project is Barclay’s Africa Digital Development Office, which is si