Bridging the expansive , vertical volumes of Rosebank Towers ’ three main atria , the sculpture - Transpiration I - echoes the organisational structure of the building can make use of the shuttle lifts and pass through the next line of security at the atrium level . Service and delivery vehicles use a dedicated entrance off Cradock Avenue .
Entrance On the street level the centre of the building opens up to allow vehicular access adjoined by clear and simple pedestrian access through an inviting multi-volume entrance atrium . This five-storey street entrance atrium contains the first line of security in the form of a security desk which deals with both vehicular and pedestrian access . After the first security line , pedestrians take the shuttle lifts to the two main atria which distribute people to the different major tenants . All of the building ’ s entrances are mobility-impaired accessible , ensuring principles of universal access are carried throughout the building fabric .
Vertical Circulation In section , the building comprises eight parking floors ( one basement and seven above ground ), one retail floor housing a popular gym well used by visitors and building occupants alike , and seven office floors . Once people have entered the building either via vehicles or on foot , they then travel up to the offices above . A separate lift lobby is provided for access to the gym floor .
A feature set of glazed shuttle lifts transports users of the building , stopping at the street entrance lobby , all visitor parking levels , and the two atria levels of the building . The atria offer generous waiting areas at the points of departure from the scenic shuttle lifts that complement the energy of the movement of people up and down the building .
The Atria Rosebank Towers is a multi-tenanted building , with two human-scaled office atria at different levels mediating between arrival , visitors ’ common areas , and working spaces . The first four-storey multivolume atrium sits nine floors above the street level , overlooking the Johannesburg and Rosebank CBDs and giving access to the first group of tenants . A further smaller three-and-a-half storey atrium , also with spectacular views , is stacked above , giving access to the higher floors ’ tenant . The shuttle lifts stop at the bottom of each atrium .
The building ’ s H-form is designed around the atrium space supported by the two courtyards . The central core of the building sits in the middle of the
H-form , and houses lifts , stairs , service risers , and ablutions . From the street below , the glass link of the entrance atrium presents itself as a threshold to the views into the spaces beyond . The southern exposure ensures that the atrium will never be over-exposed to sun , and can therefore have clear glazing overlooking the street and to the Johannesburg skyline beyond . This façade emphasises the open nature of the building to its surroundings .
At the ground level of both atria , a canopy of trees mediates between the activity at the ground level and the open collaborative spaces on the office floors above . This vegetation brings an organic softness to the structured environment around it , and establishes a sense of a peaceful and productive environment around , that is in tune with the leafy neighbourhood of Rosebank beyond .
Detailing in the bridges , balustrades , and the scale of material choice such as the timber backdrop of the reception , further enhance the feeling of belonging in a people-centric and appropriately scaled space .
The Courtyards The main morphology of the building from the office floors and higher is an H-shaped configuration with wing depths of up to 12m in order to gain as much natural light as deep as possible into the floor plates . This configuration creates two open courtyards between the east and west wings of the building . The west courtyard will have long views all the way up to the Northcliff water tower .
The indoor planting at the heart of the building and the external courtyards acts as a green lung to the building . It provides a space for contact and integration , and ensures that nature and a direct relationship with the environment is prioritised at the centre of the scheme .
The Office Floors The office floors are organised around the central core and the open atria spaces . The lift bank is centrally located ensuring that long circulating walkways are unnecessary , and direct access to various departments or business units is easily achieved . These floors are very flexible and are easy to sub-divide to cater for up to four independently accessed business units , should that be required . All the office floors overlook their central atrium . Working in and around such space is an inspiring experience that fosters creativity and productivity , as well as creating a sense of belonging .
486 Rosebank Towers