Two Towers The two towers are coupled by a clear glass roof which appears to wrap over the point of arrival and envelope both the atrium and the pod-like structure which houses the five linked floor plates . The edge of this seemingly floating pod is open to the atrium , with the intention of activating this zone with pause areas and collaborative work spaces .
Sculptural bridges crossing the atrium fan away from one another and alter in form from one level to the next . These make the floor plates efficient and facilitates future flexibility .
Visitors to the building are directed to the first , above-ground parking basement . From here , two escalators , housed in a glass lobby , bring visitors into the light , treed atrium and reception area . Two lift cores containing a total of seven lifts carry users from the atrium ( and the eight basements below ) to the upper floor plates .
Façade At the centre of the building , the two silvery glass wings of each tower curve away from one another , whilst coming closest to one another at the two lift and service cores . The darker , less reflective performance glass enclosing ground and first floors creates the visual effect of a strong base to the building while the seamless skins of the north and south glazed wings peak upwards and towards West Street . The silhouette of the building mass behind is carved into the light entity of the silver wings .
The floor plates taper towards the east and west gable ends , where complex hidden transfer structures have been designed to enable the building to lean outwards towards east and west . These impressive façades are shaped to create gentle bends in each face . Their form is further enhanced by metal fins , which not only texturise the gable façades but also provide shading .
Lifestyle and Sustainability The building offers exclusive landscaped roof terraces on the 8th , 9th and 12th floors , from which to take in the remarkable , panoramic views across Johannesburg .
A canteen , situated on ground floor , flows out into the atrium and onto a partly-shaded , secluded landscape deck . It also offers a gym , state of the art auditorium , dedicated cyclist and motorcyclist bays and shower and change room facilities to encourage users to commute by bicycle . The parking bays closest to the cores are dedicated to those who drive energy efficient cars .
The building ’ s highly-engineered , fully glazed façades and favourable orientation allow for the maximum natural lighting possible while restricting glare and heat transmission .
The project incorporates many other sustainable design features and systems involved in the day to day operation of the building , such as the harvesting , treatment and reuse of rainwater and excess irrigation water . The use of tactile materials
532 140 West Street