background when temporarily dressed to suit
individual clients. Also, to assemble a series of
spaces that allow large groups the convenience
and facilities they demand; medium groups the
options they need and small groups the individual
attention they require.
A very strict colour palette was set right from
the onset. Concrete grey; Architectural white;
Assertive black; Honey blonde timber.
The textured grey of bare concrete is echoed
in the large planes – from the foyer tiling to the
conference room carpets and stucco in the
bathrooms. Crisp white accentuates considered
interior architecture while sharp black deepens
contrast and blonde timber provides a warm
human element.
Since the colour palette was so absolute, the
design team focused a lot of attention on informing
the scheme with layering through material choices.
Derived from the off shutter concrete in the
building, grey is explored in varying tones of
textured tile laid in diagonal patterns. This softens
inside the main halls where a concrete-inspired
carpet tile is installed in a custom pattern.
Fresh white accentuates fluid architectural
elements while sharpening crisp ceiling planes.
Textured white is in the quartz reception desk and
the highly patterned wallpaper to the bathrooms.
Deep matt black allows shadows to become more
deliberate and graphic, while the sheen of compact
laminate speaks to the natural texture of the raw
mild steel of the balustrade.
Century City Square
Honey blonde timber creates vast homogenous
acoustic wall planes in some areas and elements
of strong texture and pattern when used in linear
cladding applications.
Art is part of the essential experience of the
larger complex. From the larger piazza, through
the foyer, into the lounge and break-out zones and
finally the individual meeting rooms, the collection
is curated around a theme that magnifies as the
venues change in scale.
The piazza boasts an impressive installation that
represents the 11 official languages in proportionate
columns, while the foyer’s double volume concrete
wall holds an installation celebrating The National
Anthem. A large electric blue bust by Lionel Smit to
the reception counter introduces the central theme
of language, communication and interaction within
the urban culture of South Africa, Cape Town and
Century City.
Break-out zones in the foyer feature dreamy
views of Cape Town at night by Louise Hennig,
while a series of colourful scenes by Xolile Mtkatya
celebrates vibrant township life. Striking portraits in
primary colours by Peter Pharoah underscore the
powerful graphic of Sarah Danes Jarrett’s neon
portraits of African woman.
More intimate spaces upstairs feature a series
of works by emerging artists from The Creative
Block and, finally, inside the smaller meeting
rooms, the very complex is celebrated with
vignettes from architectural sketches by Paolo
Viotti of Vivid Architects.
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Century City
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