Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa March/April 2015 | Page 62

predominantly uses steel which reflects and
is in keeping with the original shed structure.
The efficiency of steel allowed for services,
acoustic treatment and structural elements to
all fit within a 550mm deep floor, allowing for
3 levels inside the shed. Drywalls were mainly
used for the enclosure of space, allowing for a
change in the building’s use over time. Steel
is treated as permanent whilst enclosures
are treated as impermanent and therefore
adaptable over time.
Success since Opening
Consolidating the two adjacent spaces
translated into a trading space 50% larger
that is able to accommodate a wider product
offering from small business owners. The
Watershed can be seen as a talent incubator
and the unique design of the building and
resulting pedestrian street has increased
the footfall, giving tenants exposure to the
millions of local and international visitors the

V&A Waterfront welcomes annually. It has
given the V&A the opportunity to build on
its established small business platform for
further economic growth.
The V&A have been overwhelmed with
how well the Watershed has performed
since opening. The ground floor market
has been a huge success– evidenced by
increased revenue and footfall - and has been
well received by the public. Interest in the
Workshop 17 innovation space, even though
it is not yet complete, has been high and it
appears that everybody wants to be a part of
this unbelievable space.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a core value underpinning
the V&A Waterfront. Although the Watershed
building does not have a green star rating,
it does have elements of green building
incorporated. For example, the re-use of the
existing structure (historical and electrical

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The Watershed