Tshakhuma Mall
RURAL & SMALL TOWN DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Tshakhuma Mall offers over 11,500m 2 of retail in the Vhembe district of Limpopo . Located along the R524 , on the outskirts of Thohoyando , Tshakhuma Mall was designed by MDS Architecture and is an enclosed single-level development with ample parking . The site is adjacent to one of the largest rural fruit and vegetable markets in the province .
“ Tshakhuma Mall features two prominent entrances with fan shaped feature lights welcoming shoppers to the mall ,” explains Louis Pretorius , partner at MDS Architecture . “ These feature cladding and prominent signage punctuated by pops of bright colour in order to create a portal around each entrance .”
Upon entering the site , shoppers are welcomed by a “ green wall ” showcasing the mall name and an eyecatching artist mural in vibrant colours , which serves as a selfie wall . The interior of Tshakhuma Mall includes contemporary finishes , a neutral colour palette , wide passages and dramatic contrasting bulkheads , which bring a sense of spaciousness indoors .
The ceiling features contemporary linear lighting , while the mall is awash with natural light from glazed clerestory windows . The ceilings have recessed bulkheads , also painted in contrasting colours , to emphasise the
geometric patterns . Geometric patterns in shades of grey are a distinctive feature of the floor tiling at Tshakhuma Mall , paying homage to the traditional decorative patterns of the Vhembe people .
The food court is an integral part of any retail development . Tshakhuma Mall ’ s food court spills out of the centre via covered walkways and has a lovely view of the surrounding farms and houses .
The mall design takes water and electricity challenges into account - both solar and waste-water management initiatives were included from the initial planning stages of the project .
Tshakhuma Mall is completely self-sufficient . The site has its own borehole and sewerage and wastewater management plant , with solar installation .
Community-focused opportunities are synonymous with McCormick Property Development ( MPD ) and this is evident at Tshakhuma Mall , which has been developed in partnership with Aha-naha Properties . A specialist in rural retail development in South Africa , McCormick Property Development is the independent development arm of JSE listed REIT , Exemplar .
“ We continue to be community-driven with each new development ,” explains Jason McCormick , MD of McCormick Property Development . “ The mantra of local first and a better South Africa for all continues to motivate us to do more with each new project we tackle .”
Tshakhuma Mall is one of several shopping centres opened by MPD to have been designed by MDS Architecture . “ It takes vision and perseverance to develop shopping centres in far-flung areas , something that has been realised again and again by the winning partnership of vision and design that brings it to fruition ,” concludes Pretorius .
Developer : McCormick Property Development Architect : MDS Architecture Quantity Surveyor : Quanticost Civil & Structural Engineer : Hannes Hattingh Consulting Engineers Electrical Engineer : Ingplan Consulting Engineers Mechanical & Fire Engineer : Pretocon Steel Fabrication : Walter Staal Main Contractor : Mike Buyskes Construction
72 SAPOA Awards