Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa November/December 2013 | Page 40

What has been achieved is a community building that provides a new central focus for the people of Cape Town’s southern peninsula 40 identity, the interior incorporates fittings and furniture custom-designed for the project, as well as utilising new technologies such as digital printed glass. Externally, the inevitable challenge of incorporating tenant signage into the architecture was met by the creation of a blue band as a design element, which simultaneously defined the zones in which the different brand identities could be harmonised successfully. The design is generous, in that malls are wide, space is in abundance, and the building offers itself up to broader community use. The malls form the function of modern-day streets, with space for kiosks, informal activities, promotions and community events. A New Community Focus Some of the funnier community comments on the Blue Route Mall Facebook fan page are also sometimes the most revealing: “I love all the space!”... “Finally we don’t have to drive out to Canal Walk”... “Finally we don’t have to schlep to Cavendish”... not to mention, “No longer can I get away with schlumfing into Blue Route in my tracksuit: now I have to get dressed up in style!” What has been achieved is a community building that provides a new central focus for Blue Route Mall