Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa September/October 2013 | Page 39

Occupying a corner
site meant that the
architect could take
advantage of the high
visibility for showing
cars to the public

The intention was to ‘deconstruct’ the curve
through the use of framed boxes inserted into
the existing building structure. These boxes
are conceptualised as ‘plug-in’ elements below
the curved façade and highlighted with neon
colours. These ‘boxes’ act as ‘containers’ for the
vehicles on show within the new car showroom.
The concept of the neon framed boxes is also
brought into the showroom and used on the
ceiling through the use of randomly placed neon

SMG Rocks

coloured ‘Lego’ or Tetris blocks. These contrast
with the use of black ceiling tiles and black floor
tiles. Entry to the new car showroom is via the
new access road off Lighthouse Road where the
customer is welcomed by the reception desk
and the smells of coffee emanating from the
Vida é café. The new car showroom floor is kept
open with the sales and administrative offices to
the rear of the showroom in order to maximise
the number of vehicles on show.

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