space found on the street level. The emphasis is on
ensuring all developments respond positively on a
pedestrian level, allowing easy access and commuting
within the precinct.
Planning
The City of Cape Town’s plan for the Tyger Valley
precinct is for it to become the second CBD of Cape
Town, similar to what Sandton is for Johannesburg,
with the emphasis on densification. The site had
previously been earmarked for the development of a hotel
and as a result a number of departures pertaining to bulk,
height and to a lesser extent, setbacks, had to
be obtained.
The Council were supportive of the development
as it fell within their long term vision for the area. Other
new corporate developments in the area, including
Ingenuity’s recently completed project, Glacier Place,
also designed by Bam Architects, form the building blocks
towards creating a precinct of AAA Grade offices.
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Design
The Edge’s design criteria, envisioned by Ian Odendaal,
CEO of Omnicape Property Fund, included the ‘Green
Building Council Guidelines for Offices’, with the aim
being to achieve a 5 star Green Building rating. Bam
Architects were responsible for interpreting these
guidelines and realising the striking modern architecture
of The Edge.
The shape of the site is triangular, thereby determining
the form of the building from the outset. It was important
that the design responded positively to its neighbours,
and this was achieved by the provision of large balconies
on the top of the building as well as ensuring the upper
floors were set back.
The building serves as a bookend to the development around the water, culminating in a strong and
powerful curved glass end that emphasises the
importance of the corner within the context of the
precinct. A covered balcony at roof level breaks the shape
and caps it off.
The Edge