Architect and Builder June 2020 | Page 18

PROJECTVIEW URBAN HYDE, HYDE CLOSE, HYDE PARK Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac in the leafy suburb of Hyde Park, the Urban Hyde development is centrally located. The location is highly desirable due to the convenience of Hyde Park Corner Shopping Centre and Gautrain Bus stops being a short stroll away, and Sandton and Rosebank CBDs within a 10 minute drive. Urban Hyde is a sectional title residential building comprising 173 units designed around a central courtyard. This courtyard is designed for both business and leisure as there has been an increase in demand for casual business meetings in residential developments. To complement this offering, a coffee shop has been included to serve both the more formal, decked courtyard, and the less formal swimming pool area, with this coffee shop serving as a barrier between these two functions. The space will be landscaped to contrast with the contemporary façade, but also to maintain privacy in the units above as well as in the courtyard. Parking is accounted for on the ground and first floor; the courtyard and first residential level is on the second floor; and third, fourth and fifth floor has the remaining residential accommodation. The residential offering comprises units ranging in size from 34m 2 to 169m 2 . Studios, one and two bedroom units are available, as well as two penthouses which have expansive views. The interior aesthetic is industrial chic, with exposed concrete soffits, feature track lighting, bagged and painted walls and functional joinery with clean, modern lines. The interior experience of the units will be rich, warm and tactile. 7@BAKER, MBOMBELA 7@Baker is a unique residential development, consisting of seven contemporary residential units to be constructed in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. The north-east facing stand, situated in Nelspruit Extension 6, is a well established neighbourhood in Nelspruit. This development will be a first-of-its-kind design in Nelspruit. The client briefed for a 7 or 8 unit ‘row house’ typology development on a 1,717m 2 stand. Each unit was to comprise of a unique character, lock-up-and-go concept, incorporate energy efficient principles and harvest rainwater. Zoning for the site allowed for a 3 storey development, with a maximum of 8 residential units. Each unit has a ground floor as a garage with storage, first floor with living areas, kitchen and patio. Six of the units have a garden space included. The third floor accommodates three bedrooms and bathrooms. Each unit will boast solar energy, incorporate sustainable building standards (for Climatic Zone 3) and rain water harvesting was implemented to ensure a sustainable residential development. The two main exterior material choices include concrete and face brick to ensure low maintenance on the exterior of the building. The façade was designed to ensure that each unit has a unique identifiable aesthetic, to avoid monotony of a typical row house design. 18 Project Watch