Innovative , Highly Functional and Sustainable Architectural Design The impressive ultra modern , but timeless , architecture epitomises the design achievements of BAI . The architect ’ s brief was to design a building that would become a landmark for the surrounding Illovo area and a benchmark for office developments on Fricker Road . BAI split the design of the development into a number of different buildings , each with its own identity and entrance . Central to the brief was the idea of the site as a pedestrianised precinct . Extending the Illovo Boulevard into the site and flanking it with two separate buildings achieved both objectives . The spine boulevard gives structure to the office park and is intended to create an imposing avenue with vistas from Melville Road through to Fricker Road and down Illovo Boulevard .
The use of the diagonal of the boulevard across the rectangular site gave the architects two triangular edges , which helped inform the buildings aesthetic in that the forms of the buildings become statements in themselves . In addition , the site slopes from its furthest end of the diagonal towards the corner at Fricker and Harries Roads . This gave the architects the opportunity to create buildings that appear to sit on podiums and further allowed them to emphasise the angular forms , allowing the sharp ends of the triangles to rise above the ground . This also helped to highlight the large areas of floor to ceiling glazing and the pure forms of the buildings . Major façade elements include sandstone , steel and glass curtain walling .
Edge has adopted world best practice green energy principles and the development will be registered with the Green Buildings Council of South Africa .
“ The essence of designing a high quality green building is correct orientation ,” say the architects . “ We have included a lot of glazing
Sustainability There is extensive use of design elements incorporating sustainable ‘ green ’ principles . Illovo
Illovo Edge 139