Plumblink Head Office
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Waterfall City Commercial District , one of Waterfall City ’ s most popular logistical precincts , provides an environment that inspires success and sustainable practices . Plumblink , SA ’ s largest plumbing retailer , a subsidiary of Bidvest , chose Waterfall City as its preferred location to integrate its head office , flagship supplier outlet and warehouse operations . The threestorey building , with a GLA of approximately 15,000m 2 , is situated just off the M1 motorway and is north-facing . This convenient location offers amazing views over the city and highway , providing a unique opportunity to increase brand visibility to passing traffic .
Designed by Empowered Spaces Architects , Plumblink ’ s Head Office design takes the form of a contemporary structure that transforms the typical geometry of a standard warehouse into a striking facility , holistically combining both the more traditionally utilitarian forms of the warehouse with the contemporary lines of a modern office building .
Whilst still utilising traditional industrial construction materials such as corrugated sheeting and cladding , the architects have effectively elevated the traditional warehouse design by inserting massive decorative window portals with overhangs and balconies above ground level to achieve a sculptural effect .
Striking horizontal linear cladding highlights each floor of the building , instilling an elongated sense of movement onto the façade . As these linear elements are located at floor level for each level of the building , planting was added to provide for an attractive , green outlook from the offices .
Breaking away from a traditional enclosed warehouse hidden away from the public and the street , a large window has been incorporated into the warehouse façade , allowing visitors to see the activity inside the building and lighting up the warehouse with natural light .
Just as the office component of the building strives to create a high quality working environment , it was just as important to ensure that warehouse staff were provided with their own attractive work environment where possible within the constraints of a warehousing facility .
As you enter the building you are greeted with a light and airy triple volume atrium . A focal point is the sculptural staircase which accesses the offices on the floors above . The interior features raw exposed surfaces and materials such as polished concrete floors , portable partitions and exposed ceiling services , highlighting the steel rafters overhead for a chic , clean concept .
Moving into the Waterfall City Commercial District allowed Plumblink to demonstrate the importance of adopting responsible environmental practices .
These include by the use of water saving toilets , controlling paper and energy consumption through implementing effective waste management policies and supporting progressive external environmental initiatives . The building has achieved a 4 Star Green Building rating .
Developers : Attacq ; Bidvest Properties Tenant : Plumblink Project Manager : Empowered Spaces Architects Architect : Empowered Spaces Architects Quantity Surveyor : Rider Levett Bucknall Civil Engineer : Endecon Ubuntu Structural Engineer : DG Consulting Engineers Electrical & Mechanical Engineer : Spoormaker & Partners Inc Fire Consultant : WSP in Africa Sustainability Consultant : Solid Green Consulting Interior Design : Plae Interiors Health & Safety Consultant : Cairnmead Industrial Consultants Main Contractor : Archstone South Africa
62 SAPOA Awards