boom using cleverly positioned bollards and landscaping elements . The external signage to the building is subtle and controlled . The architectural elements are positioned in such a way that they lead one towards the entrance of the building . The pedestrian flow is undisturbed and brings one up a set of stairs and allows visitors to take refuge under the tapered , entrance canopy edge before entering the building .
Client Brief The brief to FWJK Architecture was to accommodate a multitude of sectional title office spaces arranging from 150m 2 up to 900m 2 . Each office space required a dedicated security entrance door accessed off an open public walkway . The design team were required to provide 5 parking bays per 100m 2 of office space and with a bulk of 7,700m 2 , the building ultimately had to accommodate in excess of 320 parking bays .
Public toilets were carefully planned on each floor to be accessible to all office suites . There is an allowance made from first fix points in each office suites to enable future office users to install dedicated toilets and kitchenettes if necessary . The design team also faced the challenge of having to provide superb sea views for all office suites along with generous balconies which had to be designed to take advantage of genius loci of the neighbourhood .
Concept The spatial planning of Ridge 7 was conceptualised around giving office users uninterrupted sprawling ocean views towards uMhlanga Village and Durban . Office suites on the Southern part of the site were positioned to have vista views over Ridgeside and towards the sea . Ridge 7 sits apart from its neighbouring buildings and is the focal point of the southern traffic circle . The architectural language is dynamic , crisp and clean . The multi-faceted glazed façades and expansive balconies create an interesting tension between solid and void .
The building form was designed to read as one form , creating a seamless transition between parking structures and office spaces . Two white , lightweight office wing “ boxes ” are connected with a solid , rising vertical circulation core which enhances the solid and void concept . The floor plate layouts had to be shaped consistently throughout the building to create a sense of loftiness to the elevation . The extended nature
636 Ridge 7