Architect and Builder June/July 2019 | Page 25

Building Structure & Architectural Features The building has five basement parking levels which provide the bulk of the parking for the building occupants. The workshop level is located between the basement parking levels and the upper floor levels. On this level, the building structure was designed to have 1.5m deep transfer beams to accommodate the increased columns spacing on the 12 upper floor levels. The upper floor levels consist of four showroom levels, six office levels, a conference level on the tenth floor and eleventh floor, with a roof terrace celebrating the spectacular views of Sandton and it’s surrounds. The generous 4.5m floor to floor heights of the showroom and office levels are substantially more than that of most buildings in Sandton. The conference level has a floor to floor height of 7.5m and the roof storey 5.5m. Separate to the basement parking levels, the building was also designed with an above ground parking structure which spirals up to each level of the building, allowing tenants to park on the level of their specific suites. This client-driven innovation also allows for easy deliveries and servicing of all floors and is quite unique in the current market. The main lobby was designed with a 4x volume atrium that connects to the showroom levels and 92 Rivonia Road creates a splendid and inviting entrance foyer. Escalators on these levels optimise the ease of movement and flow, making the atrium and lobbies people friendly and creating a vibrant atmosphere that enhances the experience of customers of the motor showrooms. The first tenant to come on board was Mercedes Benz. Their new flagship interior design perfectly tied in with DBM’s architectural design bringing to life the vision of the client, Smartgrowth Investments. Materials The external and internal materials used were selected to emphasise the main concept of elegance and timelessness, while at same time being iconic and modern. Following the design response of a building with strong form and a clean façade, the architects played with the contrast of light and dark glass. Extrusions and cut-outs in the façade were used to frame and accentuate important views to the showrooms and to emphasise the most prominent view into the showroom - the corner of Rivonia and Pybus Roads. A variety of energy efficient glass types were selected for the façade – a top quality clear glass 25