these levels forms smooth , differently angled planes that capture different reflections of the sky and surrounding buildings , further fragmenting the mass and creating visual interest across the skyline .
With typical mullion and generous 1.6m centres , the flush glazing offers a consistent visual appearance for the office and residential components , and conceals the slab edges , fire break spandrel panels and walls behind . The façade on the second and third cubes – the residential floors – feature discreet incisions ,
forming recessed balconies small enough not to detract from the cuboid form .
Façade Description The façade that wraps around the parking podium has been designed to reference the scale , vertical rhythm and massing of the surrounding lowerscale heritage buildings , reflecting their more detailed urban grain . This façade combines primary elements of pre-cast concrete in vertical and horizontal bands , secondary vertical elements of extruded aluminium in between , and a combination of glazed panels , aluminium louvres and plastered masonry walls as the infill façade . The intentionally irregular pattern , geometry and varying scales add visual interest . Cladding is articulated into various panel sizes to break down the scale of the parking levels base relative to the scale of the lower buildings in Loop Street . Glazing effectively ‘ stitches in ’ elements of the tower above into the parking podium .
This approach responds to Heritage Western Cape concerns that the early design iterations of flatter translucent screens at the parking levels might negatively impact the surrounding context .
The lowest floor of office accommodation above the parking podium is recessed inwards , forming a shadow gap where the office terrace exists , to emphasise activity on this level . This intentional exaggeration and expression creates a clearer distinction between the retail , parking and office uses . It also creates a scale relative to the surrounding buildings and unifies the parking plinth with the office and residential components above .
60 The Rubik