A steel and glass canopy between the portals defines a human scale at the entrances .
55 % of the external façade is constructed using Tilt-up concrete panelling . The inclusion of subtle , arched recesses and expressed ‘ jointing ’ creates depth in what can normally result in the bland and flat appearance of Tilt-Up panels . The Tilt-Up walls were further articulated with the addition of ‘ buttress ’ elements every 10m which serve to give the appearance of depth and provides the location for feature external light fittings and conceal the roof downpipes . The lean-to expression of the perimeter roof profile allowed for relative consistency in the height of the tilt-up façades , with variations in roof height dealt with at subsequent steps in the slope of the roof . The edge profile of the roof was also cantilevered with steel bracket elements that provide a degree of detail to the roof edge and conceal the gutter positioned on the wall line .
Specific wall areas have been designed and articulated to form defined signage walls , to avoid the typical mall treatment of tenant signage , which is usually as large as possible and positioned on all available wall space . The signage walls have a ‘ Cape vernacular ’ inspired profile , and are clad with natural stone .
The design concept for the internal mall design was to treat the space as a ‘ roof covered streetscape ’. The elevations of the mall are treated as façades of buildings , but not as a ‘ theme park ’ approach . The proportion of the façades and the articulation of the wall planes are inspired by vernacular ‘ whitewashed ’ walls . A significant contribution to the concept of a covered streetscape is the inclusion of considerable natural daylight at the centre of the mall roof . This results in a high internal light level , and allows
sunlight into the mall space and onto the various internal finishes . The ceiling element on either side of the central roof light is finished with framed grooved isoboard in a module that corresponds with internal steel roof trusses positioned at 5m centres . A dark coloured recess above the mall façades separates the ceiling plan from the wall plane . The extent of glazing to the roof was a balance between cost of the glass and the desire to have sunlight in the mall without compromising the comfort level for the users of the building . The extent of glazing in the node areas subtly
Zevenwacht Mall 235