Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa January/February 2014 | Page 20

E+H is a private
company with offices
in over 43 countries.
They own many of their
buildings and, although
each country head
office is unique, there
is a similar language
and white palette
which unifies them

20

Project Concept
Since the existing warehouse building footprint
would remain largely unchanged, the new
offices were positioned on the vacant portion
of the site with two bridge links connecting the
buildings at upper levels and across a green
zone at ground level.
A rocky ledge on the vacant portion of land
means that the parking has to be accommodated
above natural ground level. The office building
is elevated above the parking on pilotis. The
design challenge was in the connection with the
ground and how circulation could be resolved.
The bridge links to the warehouse building which
is the elegant solution, as it frees up valuable
ground space for a green lung between the two
buildings. The four large coral trees were saved
from the vacant land and relocated at the start of

the project to their new positions and, fortunately,
they have all survived to make it a very beautiful
space, complete with garden sculptures.
The new office building accommodates the
acoustic-controlled training auditorium, flexible
exhibition space, and client entertainment
area, in addition to the usual office functions
of predominantly open plan office areas, staff
canteen and meeting rooms. Two large balconies
provide external relief and relaxation, with both
overlooking the green space and coral trees.
The flat concrete roof houses the 35MW photo
voltaic panels which cater for approximately 1/3
of the total complex needs per day.
The existing warehouse building was re-clad,
re-roofed and partially re-purposed. The very
congested loading area was reconfigured and
improved. The warehouse storage facility was

Endress+Hauser