• An active edge onto the structured parking area
with outward facing shops along the full length of
the building’s façade;
• Vertical connectivity within the building between the
two retail levels achieved by sight lines to retailers
shop fronts;
• Finishes within the building to result in hard wearing
yet luxurious and classic feel;
• Simplicity of access and egress to and from the
site and circulation within the structured parking
for customers;
Efficiency and Operational Considerations
Mall of the South regional shopping centre’s operation
and maintenance aspects are detailed below:
• Double level design with “cut outs” providing visual
connectivity of retail levels;
• Flat surfaces of common areas are easily maintained
and cleaned;
• Location of banks/ATMs are on the exterior active
edge to minimise security risks;
• Continuous sky light along roof scape provides
abundance of natural light;
• Storm water collection/attenuation pond for
collection of rain water and irrigation of landscape;
• Dedicated waste recycling and refuse room;
• Dedicated delivery areas in back of house areas of
the building;
• Structured parking areas connect with retail level
to provide on-grade parking on each retail level;
• On site taxi drop - off/collection facility and
paraplegic parking;
• Glass façades at entrances.
Construction Considerations
Projects of this size and nature in South Africa are
always fast track with the building construction
commencing prior to the final detailed design and the
materials specifications. The client and professional
team also applied rigorous value engineering to
achieve the best design and finishes possible within
the approved budget parameters.
Detail design highlights of the project are:
• A simple and legible layout with fantastic view lines
along the length of the mall, as well as vertically
interconnecting the two retail levels with double
volume voids, allowing for vertical site lines from
and to both retail levels;
Mall of the South
• The unique shape of the mall layout maximises the
shopfront extents but limits the perceived overall
mall length as the nine mall entrances over three
levels are in close proximity to one another;
• Simple and clean detailed design with considerations of cost, ease of construction, and ease of
maintenance, for example, the unplastered pre-cast
concrete external walls;
• Careful consideration of where enhanced design and
finishes can have the most impact on the project,
for example, the dramatic continuous skylight and
the expressive curved ceiling forms;
• A focus on specific areas to create a high impact,
visual experience. An example is the main triple
volume façade of glass and aluminium with its
evocative dynamic shape and form. Another special
area is the central double v