Architect and Builder January/February 2016 | Page 54

SOUTH WEST ELEVATION - STRAND STREET

NORTH WEST ELEVATION - HUDSON STREET

Green Building Certification
The Project has targeted a Green Star Rating with the Green Building
Council of South Africa and the Professional Team and Client have
been working together with appointed Green Building Consultants,
Terramanzi Group, to attain this stellar achievement.
Fabio Venturi, Director of Terramanzi Group, said that this has
been an extraordinary project and that they are now close to the
Round 1 submission date with the GBCSA.

to the upper levels, especially when lit up at night and is achieved
largely by the inconspicuous parking levels within. Another vertical
light box, borrowing from the lit lift lobbies, runs up the lift shaft on
the outside of the building emphasising the corner of Strand and
Chiapinni streets.
Zoning requirements dictated a degree of setback on the upper
levels which softens the bulk whilst the finishes also give a feel of
‘rooftop living’. Delicate pergolas echo the surrounding roof terraces
of older buildings in the area.
The ‘Sky Bar’ situated at the top of the building makes the most
of panoramic views of the city and provides a unique recreational
space for residents and visitors.

Elements
The building is divided into a number of elements, including retail, a
hotel, luxuriously appointed private apartments and a rooftop terrace
and bar.
The challenge was to seamlessly integrate these separate
mixed-use aspects whilst still affording them a certain degree of
individual identity.
The street level is ‘capped off’ by a horizontal glass light box
that runs around the building and acts as an effective transition

HOTEL LEVEL 1

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Finishes
The varied use of glass, lighting, wooden cladding and pergolas on
each façade has ensured that all the ‘layers’ of the building form
a cohesive entity, whilst still retaining interest and the ‘human
element’ essential in any successful mixed-use development.

HOTEL LEVEL 2

The Mirage