( GFA ) of 10,035m ². The three basement levels are approximately 28,000m 2 in size with all parking below ground , improving the public environment .
Design The precinct and the building in particular aim to be respectful of the public environment . As such , at ground level , the building ’ s edges are set back to give walking shelter and are activated by high street retail and the entrances of the office buildings above . Designed by GLH Architects , the architecture of the building is modern , humble and timeless with an open and permeable character . Clear glass married with the warmth of natural stone provide for a soft palette of materials .
The attractive wedge-shape design is notable for its glass façades , created with 4,500m 2 of glazing . This design enhances the wellbeing of the building ’ s users allowing ample fresh air , particularly unimpeded access to external vistas looking east over Johannesburg ’ s treed suburbs and plenty of natural daylight . The emphasis of the building is on the Oxford Road façade with the other two façades being downplayed as they are only visible at acute angles through the pedestrian streets of the precinct .
The Oxford Road façade is east facing and consists of double façade clear glazing flanking the frameless atrium glazing . The transparency of the façade is complemented by the dynamism of the motorised blinds linked to a weather station that are tracking the light along the day , protecting
the office space in the morning and opening fully once the sun has passed the corner . To deal with the sun ’ s heat through the glazing without overloading the air-conditioning system , a couple of innovations have been included . The first is a double-ventilated façade on the front of the building , involving two layers of glazing some 40cm apart . The outside layer is open at the bottom and at the top , allowing air to rise and exit this vertical channel as it heats , sucking in cooler air at the bottom and keeping the building cool .
199 Oxford 623