Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa September/October 2014 | Page 13
BRIDGE PARK, CENTURY CITY, CAPE TOWN
Designed by dhk for joint developers
Rabie Property Group and Growthpoint
Properties, the Bridge Park office buildings
will provide 18,048m2 of premium grade
office space in the new mixed-use
Bridgeways precinct in Century City.
Comprising two buildings, Bridge
Park West and Bridge Park East, the
development occupies a central position
within the new precinct, taking advantage
of its panoramic views and access to
transport routes.
Each four storey office building is
positioned on a green podium, with a
recessed façade at ground level, shading
the full height glazed façade that opens
onto the podium. The main entrance is
clearly articulated with a full height glazed
setback in the façade, and the generous
entrance lobby leads onto a glazed atrium
bringing natural light into the public areas.
The aluminium panelled façade is
punctuated with vertical glazing, providing
ample daylight to the office floors as
well as capturing views throughout the
Project Watch
building. The facade and glazed atrium
have been carefully articulated to ensure
optimal light penetration throughout the
office spaces, while carefully controlling
both glare and heat gain, ensuring
occupier comfort and energy efficiency.
The northern edge of the building
is extended in plan to maximise views
to Table Mountain and the large floor
plates, with generous column spacing,
create an efficient and flexible space for
the occupiers.
Each building encloses a private landscaped ‘forest’, bringing nature into the
very fabric of the building and providing
outdoor breakaway places for staff, while
on the upper level a wrap-around terrace
takes advantage of the building’s prime
position, providing additional outdoor
spaces for the offices located on this level.
Bridge Park benefits from excellent
access to surrounding road networks and
public transport links. Secure basements
provide tenant parking, while visitors
parking and cyclist facilities are situated
on the podium. Additional parking is
available within a few minutes’ walk.
The buildings have been designed
with a strong focus on sustainability,
and the environmental strategy for the
site encompasses energy, transport,
water, waste and occupant health.
While undeniably energy-efficient, the
new buildings prioritise comfort and
productivity, with factors such as air
quality and indoor pollutants, thermal
comfort,
adequate
lighting,
glare
control, access to daylight and views,
and sound levels taken into account. The
development has targeted a 5 Star Green
Star SA design rating.
Developer: Rabie Property Group ;
Growthpoint Properties
Architect: dhk Architects
Civil, Structural, Mechanical
and Electrical: Aurecon
QS: Aecom; Sutherland
Main Contractor: Murray & Roberts
Completion Date: April-July 2015
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