KEY TO PLANS 1 Open Plan Office 2 Triple Volume 3 Lifts 4 Restrooms
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
237 basement parking bays are located below the building podium and are completely concealed from the city-side of the building . They are connected by shallow-sloping parking decks to ensure maximum efficiency in what is quite a narrow site . 71 visitor ’ s parking bays are provided on-grade along the northern servitude .
A Building Without Fences In responding to the building ’ s context a decision was made very early on that the building was not to have any fences . The architects were quite clear that in order to truly integrate the building into the fabric of the city they would not only have to ensure that pedestrian access was easy and convenient but also that the building created a welcoming impression .
Pedestrians can enter the building from three sides . On the southern edge which faces the
future city and soon-to-be-completed Mall of Africa , Novartis employees will be able to use the grand staircase to walk to and from the Mall , bus stop and City . On the eastern edge they will be able to walk to and from their shaded outdoor terrace which spills out from their canteen . On the northern edge they will be able to walk to and from their dedicated on-grade visitors parking .
Materials The majority of the building employs a very simple and contemporary material palette . Concrete , glass and steel is softened by aluminium louvres and feature timber panelling .
Challenges Technical Services Area : One of the tenant ’ s subsidiaries , that works with large and highly specialised medical equipment , required a clean and secure way of receiving , storing and repairing their equipment . The challenge from a planning and architectural perspective was to address these requirements without compromising the design of the building . Ways of making the delivery vehicles completely secure and almost invisible were investigated , while ensuring that the route from the loading area to their Technical Services Area was also secure and invisible . In the end a solution of integrating the loading area into the design of the guard house and hoisting their equipment directly into the basement below was decided upon .
Green Building The new Novartis Head Office is the first building in Waterfall City to be registered for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ( LEED ) Silver rating . LEED is a U . S . Green Building Council rating system that focuses on the efficient use of energy and water , selection of green material and the establishment and maintenance of high quality levels of indoor environments .
270 Novartis