3 Alice Lane
REFURBISHMENT AWARD
The key priority was to fill the vacant building , repurpose it for alternative uses and re-establish 3 Alice Lane within the greater Alice Lane precinct .
The five-story building was built in the 80 ’ s and the dated precast concrete panelling and flush window design detracted from the value of this prime property in the economic heartland of Johannesburg . The existing façade had begun spalling and posed a safety risk . Compared to its recently completed counterparts , it had become dated in terms of its aesthetic design and environmental performance .
With its new transformation , the new façade has been designed using current technology and materials in conjunction with the HVAC system to obtain a balanced design of the building envelope . By using various digital technologies and energy modelling tools , human comfort and energy efficiency has been achieved with the replacement of the existing non-compliant glazing with a double-glazed high-performance unitised façade system . This unitised system is made up of a ‘ Sun Guard Silver 20 ’ glazing type , which is a high-performance , solar-reflective coated glass product that specialises in blocking heat and delivering energy efficiency that exceeds the minimum regulatory requirements .
Unitised façades consist of prefabricated assembled units that can be moved directly from the factory environment to site for fast installation onto pre-prepared fixings , thus improving efficiencies and overall quality control on site .
There is a secondary double-skin façade ; what can be deemed as a giant piece of “ Urban Art ” infused in built form . This element has been incorporated in the design of this façade to provide for a fresh aesthetic that is on par with other commercial property assets on Alice Lane and thus creates a unique architectural expression for this address . From the outside the perforated façades seem solid ; however from the inside the perforated aluminium screen is transparent , opening views and bringing defused light into the interiors . The screen is also used for solar shading to the interiors , thus reducing glare for user comfort .
The fact that the building was live with more than 600 people working there during construction proved
challenging in terms of safety , noise and access . Specially designed cantilever scaffolding had to be used to allow all work to be done on the outside of the structure .
This refurbishment embraces the energy of its context but starts to demonstrate the level of skill , technology and design enthusiasm within our architectural landscape and built environment . Consisting of over 900 panels all stitched together like an African quilt , this double skin façade is layered and introduces a three-dimensional dynamic façade plain , which is the first of its kind in the Sandton Central District .
Client : Public Investment Corporation Architect : ARC Mu : v Project Manager : Bvi Consulting Engineers Quantity Surveyor : Equate Africa Structural Engineer : THS and Associates Fire Consultant : Specialised Fire Technology Green Consultant : Solid Green Landscape Architect : Insite Landscape Architects Interior Designer : Head Interiors Main Contractor : GVK-Siya Zama
SAPOA Awards 75