due to good planning and construction methodology , this feat was achieved without an impact on the contractor ’ s program and the client ’ s budget .
The Building The monochromatic triangular façade consists of a 3 shaded curtain wall of grey and black glass which spans the building ’ s south façade , as well as the soft curve of the building on the corner of Atterbury Road and Lois Avenue . This striking feature takes full advantage of its prime location directly across from Menlyn Park Shopping Centre . The curtain wall acts as a mirror to the sky , evolving in colour and intensity as the sun moves across the African sky . In some instances , the mottled façade appears as a single uniform colour from the outside . Breaking the length of the southern façade and anchoring the building to the north , the off-shutter concrete feature walls repeat the triangular module of the façades . The main entrance to the building is a celebration of space with the bold concrete entrance towering the full height of the 5-storey building . This rather humbling entrance is a grand welcome to each visitor entering the Jewel of Pretoria .
The building ’ s northern façade is divided into two main sections . The first section has affectionately become known as the “ egg crates ”, which are sun shading pods created using concrete overhangs and division walls which protect the office space from the midday sun throughout the year . Equally deep concrete sunscreen walls also provide shading from the early morning and late afternoon sun . The combination of the walls and the overhangs create the “ egg crates ”, which has also become a multifunctional space being utilised as patios overlooking the main intersection of Lois Avenue
and Ingersol Road in Menlyn . The northern façade is exposed to direct sunlight throughout the day . To avoid excessive heat buildup , a double curtainwall system was designed . The façade is , therefore , built up of 2 curtainwalls 1 metre apart , of which the external curtainwall ventilates naturally and disperses the heat buildup . The top and bottom of this curtain wall is open to assist the stack effect of heat dissipation within this void .
Conclusion The Podium at Menlyn has become the gateway to the Menlyn node , which is to become an A-Grade business hub with in excess of 300,000m 2 of mixed use development including retail , offices , hotels and residential units being planned .
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