Architect and Builder November/December 2018 | Page 60

Brave Moves on Ridgeside Umhlanga Office Precinct Umhlanga’s signature Ridgeside office precinct is a sought-after premium grade location for corporates such as Vodacom HQ, Investec, Canadian Embassy, FNB Regional HQ, BDO Spencer and now the new ABSA Regional Head Office. “F or ABSA’s new Regional Head Office, we understood that the client was looking for something completely new – a fresh, bold and modern approach.” says Brett Oosterberg, GEZE Regional Manager, KZN. At GEZE, we work in a highly collaborative way by consulting with the architect up front to understand the functional and aesthetic requirements of the door and window aspects of the design and to ensure that we provide input in to the technical specification by helping the architect to exceed the clients expectations. Transforming how people work together “For the interior fit-out we collaborated closely with the client Growthpoint and ABSA to create a compelling modern design which transforms how the ABSA business and building occupants work together,” says Nisha Hoven, Project Architect for Boogertman + Partners Jhb. D e si g n e d by El p hi c k P ro o m e Architects, the base-build captures the incredible unobstructed view of Umhlanga. The fit-out does the same across the various work zones. ‘We saw this as an opportunity to capture the view across multiple areas - pause, collaboration, food-service, quiet and meeting spaces,” says Nisha. In particular the client meeting-suite where clients are hosted in an acoustically secure area, appears to be suspended in a light and view-filled space in the heart of the building. The suite showcases customised solutions. ‘The GEZE team was challenged to provide heavy-duty customised door hinges which deliver a seamless, almost invisible aesthetic and the result is exquisite’ says Brett Oosterberg. The luxurious heavy walnut doors also feature bold oversized and seemingly sculptured angular handles which create a smooth and heavily- weighted hand-feel. GEZE’s reliable track-record with FWJK assured a win on the specification, supply and installation across almost all window and door solutions. For example, occupants have been provided with smart access from the vehicle parking area directly in to the building through heavy fire-doors. This means that wheelchair bound occupants can access the building with ease through doors powered by GEZE Powerturn IS - a 7cm automatic swing-door drive which can open heavy doors of up to 600kg leaf weight reliably and safely, and where the smoke control unit is invisibly integrated into the cover. With added focus on fire-safety and fresh-air introduction, GEZE’s RWA chain window system provides electrically powered ventilation, as well as safe and speedy smoke and heat extraction which is triggered by GEZE RWA emergency power supply units. represent some of our finest and most complete solutions. With door and window solutions becoming increasingly specialised in order to address fire-safety standards, smarter ease-of-access and exquisite engineering, at GEZE we offer expert end-to-end support for the full project journey, starting with our bespoke GEZE EZE BIM specifying software which produces faster results and higher quality outcome’ says Kevin Diamond, GEZE MD Southern Africa. www.geze.co.za | www.gezebim.co.za [email protected] 0800 060 103 Adding value, faster higher quality outcomes ‘We were delighted to have the opportunity to work on this pivotal project, because the door and window solutions featured 60 Advertorial