Architect and Builder Jul/Aug 2024 | Page 61

Building Access Access to the residential entrance is off Loop Street . Access to the commercial accommodation is off the busier Riebeek Street . Both are flanked by retail units , accessed from the corner of Riebeek and Loop . This strategy maximises street activation on the small site . Vehicle entry points are on the southern edge of the Loop Street boundary , adjacent to the heritage buildings , set as far from the Loop / Riebeek intersection as possible . The Sea Street entrance is also positioned away from the street corners on the southern boundary . To maximise street-level activity , the only services at ground floor are the municipality ’ s non-negotiable requirements of an electric sub-station , firefighting equipment and a small metering room .
height glazing flanking the scissor stair core on the common boundary maximises views of Table Mountain and the CBD . These views would be lost in the unlikely event of neighbouring buildings being built up above the parking levels . This layout also adds to the efficiency , expansiveness and tenant flexibility on each floor plate .
An additional challenge in the tight site area was how to provide efficient parking spaces and compliant vehicle which required careful positioning of large columns to secure City planning approval .
Internal Planning At only 28m x 29m , the constricted site area presented challenges to resolve the internal layout . The building was configured to accommodate five lifts , two escape stairs , active street level entrances , municipal services , internal vehicle circulation and parking , office floor layouts and residential units above . Locating lifts at the centre of the building accommodates vehicle circulation and maximises efficiency of multi-tenanted offices and residential layouts . Deeper spaces away from the façade are used for structural stability and space efficiency .
The centralised lift core and scissor stair positioned on the common southern boundary accommodates the parking and spiral vehicle ramp circulation below . The WC core and lift lobby is positioned between the lift and stair core . Full
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