Bridgewater
MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Situated at Century City in Cape Town , Bridgewater is a mixed use precinct situated along the banks of a new waterbody which was once home to Ratanga Junction . The new development offers inspiring new ways to live , work , play and stay in the security and convenience of Century City . Bridgewater is a uniquely integrated family of buildings positioned between the buzz of Century City Square and the serenity of the new Ratanga Park .
Bridgewater was designed as an entire city block and the buildings act as a wonderful interface and transition between the urban neighbourhood of Century City Square and the extraordinary natural environment of the newly re-imagined mixed use Ratanga Precinct ’ s new park and rehabilitated waterbody . The development connects Bridgeways with the new Ratanga Park via a timber clad footbridge and creates a defined public wharf edge to the redesigned waterway system that emulates the memory of old Amsterdam canal-side row houses and walkways . Bridgewater was designed to allow seamless connectivity and pedestrian access in , around and through the development . The ‘ city block ’ development was intentionally designed as a number of individual buildings with their own unique language and personality all linked and unified around an internal central public square or court . This court acts as a wonderful filter for pedestrian movement linking the many buildings of the overall Bridgeways precinct to the newly designed Ratanga Park and waterfront . The mixed use nature of this development will ensure all day activity and life beyond the 9-5 working day .
The use of tactile and warm materials was intentional to create a place for people to feel comfortable to work , live , and play . It is important when developing largely greenfield sites and expanding an urban vision not to exclude access , but rather to create inclusive spaces with facilities to sit and socialise . The architects wanted to expand on the client ’ s vision for creating a leading urban precinct by ensuring the creation of a ‘ neighbourhood ’ that integrates with the immediate context and a place people want to visit and stay .
80 SAPOA Awards