around the ramp. A water feature provides some
white noise against the traffic and creates a cooling
atmosphere. There is also plenty of shade on offer
through the planting and two roofs that have been
positioned to channel the space up and onto the
podium. One of these roofs has been designed to
carry an artwork or provide a venue for functions.
The podium space has pockets of indigenous
planting with seating that can be arranged by
the user along with open spaces that have been
enabled for public gatherings, artwork and events.
Design Components
The Old Mutual structure is made up of three main
components - the main building on the south and
east sides consists of large forms and addresses
the city as it faces fast-paced Rivonia Road. For
this reason, the façade has been designed to be
viewed from a distance with bold, large forms
and sweeping curves constructed from a double
glazed unitised façade and aluminium cladding. The
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main building protects and holds the more detailed
podium building to the north, which utilises a lower
scale, smaller forms and more texture to interact
with the public podium at a human scale. Along
with the glass and aluminium, the architects used
a white and grey honed stone cladding to bring
texture into the façade. The podium building is
seen as an extension of the public space, with the
planting and forms from the podium stepping onto
the balcony and roof space above providing much
needed garden space for the Old Mutual staff.
The atrium space makes up the third component
and is held between the main and podium
buildings. It links the components of office space
together and houses the main arrival experience,
spaces to connect staff members and vertical
circulation routes.
Interior Spaces
The Ground floor of the building is conceptualised
as public space and has been designed to be an
No. 1 Mutual Place