Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa March/April 2015

PROJECT FNB Acacia House FNB consolidated some of their Durban offices to the new 4 Star Green rated building that is located at the top of Umhlanga Ridge with panoramic views over the Indian Ocean FNB ACACIA HOUSE Umhlanga CLIENT First National Bank DEVELOPER Eris Property Group PROJECT MANAGERS Metrum Project Management ARCHITECTS Bentel Associates International QUANTITY SURVEYORS BWR Quantity Surveyors CIVIL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS Sutherland ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS OneZero Consulting WET SERVICES Izazi Consulting Engineers HVAC ENGINEERS Spoormaker & Partners Inc FIRE CONSULTANTS Specialised Fire Technology GREEN BUILDING CONSULTANTS WSP Group Africa LAND SURVEYORS Stanley Gibson Surveyors D esigned by Bentel Associates International, the construction of FNB’s striking new office development in Umhlanga, Kwa-Zulu Natal was completed in November 2014. Known as FNB Acacia House, the complex has become a regional office for FNB, Rand Merchant Bank and other divisions within the Group. Encompassing environmental best practice methods, the development enjoys extensive green energy-saving efficiencies in the primary, electrical and mechanical installations. The project aimed to achieve a four-star ‘by design’ and ‘as built’ green rating. The building incorporates construction, design and operational practices that reduce and eliminate the negative impact of development on the environment. The development is located on the corner of Umhlanga Rocks Drive and Kikembe Drive, Umhlanga. The property is accessed from Precinct Boulevard off Kikembe Drive on the corner of the site. The site was developed with a total bulk of 16,000m2. Design Objectives • Optimum use of space • Rationalisation of filing • Limited number of workstation configurations • Mainly open plan workstation layouts • Dedicated printing rooms to be provided The culture of the business needed to be assessed in order to design the space around the function and the people. With the final appearance dependent on the Business Units selected to occupy the building, an appearance and standard similar to that of the existing Bank City campus was required to be achieved. LANDSCAPE ARCHITE

Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa March/April 2015 | Page 40