Design The mall is designed as a single level closed structure which is based around a central food court , ideal for an efficient shopping experience with the minimum of fuss . Its basic design has tiled pillars and high shopfronts . The single storey , minimalist design also highlights the basic shopping experience , as included with this experience is a large parking area with trees and bird life . This green angle was added in after consultation with environmentalists and is in keeping with the emphasis on identifying the mall with its surroundings . The strong design criteria prevent different stores from detracting from the overall image and effect . These include roller shutters and straightforward signage to keep in with a style that is contemporary . These criteria apply to the inside of the shops as well , thereby keeping the tenants within the broad parameters without being too conformist .
Situated on Sanctuary Road , with its high visibility and direct access from the N3 freeway , the complex , with its rounded silver roofs and articulated façades featuring ethnic elements , houses all the major retail outlets . The gross lettable area of approximately 39,000m 2 gives it full regional shopping centre status . Anchor tenants include : Cine-Center Cinemas , Pick n Pay , Truworths , Woolworths and national tenants & franchisees include the Mr Price Group , Boardmans , Clicks , Standard Bank , Ackermans , Incredible Connection , ABSA , Spur / Panarottis Pleasure Foods Group , Identity , First National Bank , Steers Group , Ocean Basket , Mugg & Bean . The centre offers free open parking .
The four main anchor tenants , including Woolworths , Game , Pick n Pay and Cine Centre , have been split up in order to divide the shopping space and to spread out all the pedestrian traffic . The focus is on keeping same theme shops together for easier comparison shopping by customers . The cinemas are positioned off the food court , to facilitate the flow to and from both sections .
The mall has not been themed but contains features and design elements that reflect the heritage of the surrounding areas and indeed the province . The convex barrel-vaulted roof structure was a natural development , influenced by the surroundings . The Valley of a Thousand Hills is called to mind on viewing the curved metal roof sheets of the mall . The relatively low singlestorey structure is not obtrusive and allows the surrounding cliffs to be viewed without impeding the view . The cost-effective design has evolved through the utilisation of money in areas that the public use the most .
Elements of Zulu culture and tradition have been utilised and incorporated into the design and architecture . Items such as the famous Zulu shield are evident in the carefully designed floor layouts and patterns , as well as in the plastering , which is textured .
The design of the food court itself is based on the shape of a Zulu shield , and the strong entrances also reflect this design feature . The Liberty Midlands Mall logo is that of shield that reflects its African context both in its utilisation of colour and its shape .
Materials The mall structure is constructed out of brick and dry walling , with paint and plastering in colours that reflect the surroundings . These are muted , natural tones , which emphasise the almost minimalist features of the whole design , with its slender curved lines .
The interiors , with their decorative ceilings and ceramic and porcelain tiles , are light and airy , with timber and steel balustrading adding to the design features . The attention to the bulkhead design , specialised plastering and combination of natural and synthetic lighting have a significant effect on the mall , giving a feeling of space and volume . The demising columns , which are tiled , are once again reflective of the patterns which recur throughout the mall , yet no theming is emphasised . In this instance patterns are reminiscent of the famous Zulu basket weave patterns .
The food court , shaped like a Zulu shield , has a special finish , and once again depicts stylised features reflecting various aspects of South Africa , which adds more colour to the hub of the centre .
Items by artist Isaac Sithole , a resident artist at the Bat Centre , Durban , are evident here . He portrays images he views in every day life , such as birds , trees , animals and people in village environments . The selection of these works were chosen with care , in order for them to complement the décor without overpowering the finishes .
102 Liberty Midlands Mall