planning of a mixed use precinct to be known as Vangate City . The precinct was to incorporate a residential and retail component ( Vangate Mall ). ACG and SVA International were the appointed architects for Vangate Mall .
However , with the joint venture agreement in 2004 between ABS and Zenprop , Vivid Architects joined the professional team , having been brought on board to design the Mall public areas , as well as to provide an advisory role for the mall external elevations and the greater Vangate City precinct .
As Vivid Architects were introduced to the project in May 2004 ( quite late into the planning stage ), certain fundamental design parameters were fixed i . e . the mall layout of entry points , tenant locations , major retailers ’ sizing and location , food mall position , as well as toilet and facilities locations . With the 10x10m structural grid also fixed , the challenge was to design within these parameters without impacting on the intended construction programme , due to start on site in September 2004 , with a projected mall opening in October 2005 .
Client Brief The client body had clearly intended Vangate Mall to be an aspirational centre - its quality in terms of retail offering and overall finish would rival Cape Town ’ s most successful centres , such as Canal Walk , Cavendish Square and the V & A Waterfront .
The client body requested that Vivid Architects consider a theme for the mall aesthetic , one that would be unique and would appeal to the immediate local community , the greater Cape Town region , as well as the potential tourist market . The architects responded with a contemporary design that re-interpreted the essence of a Middle Eastern / Moroccan style . Whilst the aesthetic theme had to be welcoming and easily identifiable , they avoided the usual pastiche and kitsch of so many themed approaches to retail mall design . This theme allowed for an integrated marketing campaign with the use of Moroccan inspired graphics and marketing content .
A diverse tenant mix was borne out of the theme , as a dedicated area of the Mall had been designed as a ‘ souk ’ ( a traditional Middle Eastern market ) - allowing local retailers their first trading opportunity in a shopping centre . The souk consists of 43 kiosks ranging in size from 7.7m 2 to 11m 2 . The tenant mix here was intended to complement the mall theme , with retail kiosks offering everything from Middle Eastern-inspired clothing , spices , music to perfume and food , with the retail focus of the souk intending to appeal to the local and tourist market . The souk represents only a small portion of the 28,000m 2 of the retail area . Leading national brands make up the balance , allowing for convenient shopping for the local community .
Mall Layout The mall consists of a single level of retail with a 10m wide main mall running north / south . From the parking area along the Vanguard Drive boundary , there are two 10m wide entry malls . A further two malls lead from the activity spine running between the mall building and the residential component of the precinct . At each of the mall intersections ( nodes ), the mall width widens to create promotion courts . The node intersections are larger in scale and volume than the main mall , and assist in varying the perceived mall length which is 250m in length , shopfront to shopfront . The southernmost mall from the activity spine is widened further to 12m to create the ‘ food mall ’, with considerable amounts of concession seating . The architects kept the mall diagram clear and simple . The ability to have clear sight lines in all malls was seen as essential . However , articulation and detailing modulate the mall into a series of spaces .
Mall Design The malls also express themselves in the roofscape of the centre . The mall roof sections are raised higher than the general roof , creating a ridge element , with the internal increased node volume being reflected in the roofscape as well . The roof profile is further enhanced by ‘ lanterns ’ or skylight towers that identify the nodes .
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