Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa July/August 2014 | Page 40

In keeping with the
historic warehouse
character and the
storage functions of
the new buildings, the
new design displays an
industrial aesthetic

for construction & materials, which
relate to cost effective, low maintenance
buildings. In a ‘turnkey’ fashion, the
complete Furniture, Fittings & Equipment
(FF&E) for all the buildings formed part of
the building contract. The gross building
cost, including FF&E was R16,260/m²
(incl. VAT). The nett cost (i.e. without
FF&E) was R13,900/m² (incl. VAT).
These building costs, which include
site works, are extremely good value for
money for high quality, technologically
advanced buildings. The costs per m² of
the new buildings can be used as cost
norms for similar future developments
by DPW.
DESIGN CONCEPTS
Heritage buildings
Of the existing buildings on site, two old
Bellman type aircraft hangars and one
railway type platform building had to be

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retained and restored as per heritage
legislation. They were re-fitted internally
to accommodate new functions. The steel
structure skeleton of another hangar was
retained and re-cladded with steel and
translucent roof sheeting to create a
covered parade ground.
These historic buildings and the
existing road between them form a
pedestrian-friendly Heritage Core of
the site. Shaded seating areas and water
features allow users time to experience
the character of the old buildings.
The existing ammunition store
received an architecturally designed
steel bracing structure and floating
roof to prevent further damage to this
historic building.
Building Massing
Buildings face north for good solar
orientation. Buildings are long in the

direction parallel with the site contours
to minimise cut and fill operations.
New buildings in the Heritage Core
are of a smaller scale to match the historic
building fabric. Larger buildings are
placed a respectful distance away from
this central area.
The site is intensely populated
with structures and services and the
area available is used to its maximum
potential. The extreme fall on the site
further intensified the design solutions
which include large scale engineered
retaining walls (concrete block and in-situ)
to create plat