Architect and Builder Nov 2021 | Page 18

NEWSWORTHY
WEST HERTFORD ROAD , BRYANSTON
Capitalising on the residential movements and fluctuations due to the disruptive past couple of years , the project introduces a new model to the peri-urban / suburban apartment living market in Johannesburg . Set in Bryanston on West Hertford Road , the project ties perfectly into the cosmopolitan urban living ideals of the new young creatives . The brief from the client was to design 12 apartments between 96m 2 and 105m 2 to embody the sustainable and adaptive benefits of using raw concrete walls externally , while softening the interior design of the units with warmer , colourful internal finishes . Roof gardens were to contain large rainwater harvesting tanks , as well as solar panels sufficient to supply the apartments with at least 90 % of their electricity . To further “ soften ” the raw exterior concrete façades , in-situ cast balcony planters were designed for each unit , as well as cladding the service ducting in-between the apartments with vertical planting systems to break the building into three separate volumes . Colourtinted concrete bands are also designed at the vertical access stairs to synthesise the expression of Johannesburg ’ s diverse identity into the apartment ’ s façade . The project budget excluding professional fees is around R22,6 million . Externally , off-shutter concrete , as well as tinted concrete finishes will be used , and internally a combination of exposed face brick , timber cladding , polished screeds , and porcelain tiles will be used . The project is set to break ground at the end of Q1 2022 . Architect and Principle Agents : Starfield Architects Client : 8 Mile Investments 42
WESTOWN , SHONGWENI
Existing mainstream paradigms of planning , engineering and architecture can exacerbate environmental and social degradation , leading towards increasingly unsustainable cities . Current practices with regards to water and energy utilisation , waste disposal , environmental management , food security and spatial democracy , have left our planet in a precarious position and it ’ s not getting any better .
Against this backdrop , locally established and owned asset management , property development and retail leasing company , Fundamentum , is committed to changing the tide on development , by leading an urban sustainability agenda in their new project at Shongweni , within the marginalised outer-west region of the eThekwini Metropolitan area .
“ The start of construction on Westown , the first retail and mixed-use component within Shongweni , is imminent ,” says Fundamentum CEO , Carlos Correia , “ and tender calls have gone out for the first key infrastructural components . This catalytic project has been a long time in the making and the development team is excited to finally get it underway .”
Working together with key stakeholders eThekwini Municipality and Tongaat Hulett Property , Fundamentum , will oversee the development of a new high street retail and mixed-use development . The mixed-use urban node precinct offers a wide range of residential options , as well as commercial and business park activities . The project has the full support of the City as well as at provincial and national levels , having been identified as a Presidential Project .
“ In line with our urban sustainability ethos , we believe Westown with an urban core at its heart , will be a prime example of an inclusive , high energy , safe and secure retail and mixed-use urban development ,” continues Correia . “ It will add to and enhance the existing natural character and environment of Shongweni , with a specific focus on building on and expanding the current active recreational activities of equestrian shows and horse-riding , mountain biking and trail running . This ‘ new-town-in-town ’ will create a new economic base for this sub-region and much of this economic base will be grounded in urban sustainability .”
This initial project will push the limits of planning for a larger Shongweni Urban Development initiative and in the development of Westown , move urban sustainability beyond existing multi-disciplinary paradigms of planning , engineering , architecture and urbanisation . The new approach will be one of inter-disciplinary integration that facilitates increasing levels of sustainability and innovation , providing for a permanent residential population that spans a broad socio-economic profile , representative of the wider South African context .
18 Project Watch