Concept Inspiration The building concept for this state-of-the-art development was inspired by Sasol ’ s various business units surrounding a nucleus and consists of a central core and integrated floor-plate with bridges that lead to the various departments . The contemporary workplace design allows for free movement both vertically and horizontally throughout the buildingt .
Design and Site Paragon studied this distilled essence closely to interpret it as built form and the company structure was used as the departure point for the conceptual design of the building . The concept was initially set up as a straight line linking the various units . However , this was seen spatially as too linear and thus the form evolved into something more serpentine ; this generated a more interconnected space and was more easily accommodated on the site . This approach proved to be very successful in presentations to the tenant , but it was ultimately the architecture that won the commission . A central core of circulation and services ties the building together and the various areas are linked by a series of bridges . The major challenge was the site which is on a curving edge of Katherine Street , and to ensure a large building of 68,000m 2 could be accommodated and well connected both vertically and horizontally . The building leaps the boundary of the commercial edge of Sandton to sit as a floating glass box hovering above an indigenous parkland .
Façade The glass façades were carefully engineered with Pure Consulting and Paul Carew from PJC Consulting to ensure that this 5 Star Green Star design satisfied performance and aesthetic requirements . The glazing is a combination of reflective glass spandrels and vision glass which combine to form a unified crystal façade .
The external façade comprises floor to floor unitised double glazed panels of vision glass and spandrels . The shapes and glass variations are encapsulated in each panel . Over 2,000 panels have been designed . The vision glass is a reflective performance glass which has a high light transmission level and maximises visibility out of the building . The glass product is AGC Stopray vision 36T .
The spandrels are a bespoke textured glazed custom glazed unit , fired at 680 º with a silver backing , insulation and an aluminium panel ; the glass is Safety Shield Imagin Krizet with Ipasol chrome coating . This glass has not been used in South Africa before and this project seeks to exploit not only design but materiality .
In addition to glass performance , the building volumes have impacted on the design . Where sections of the building cast shadows on itself , the size of the spandrels reduce to allow more light . Façade patterning has generated an environmental analysis and heat gain to reduce energy consumption and maximise user comfort levels .
It was important for Paragon Architects to push boundaries in this design which is characterised
448 Sasol