to create a fresh shopping experience . The design also had to take into account future expansion .
The mall ’ s location , off the busy N4 highway with access from both the Fontein Street offramp and Tswelopele Avenue , makes it easily accessible to N4-road users and a wide catchment area .
Sean Pearce , a partner at MDS Architecture and lead partner on this project , says that an important consideration in the design was the honesty of materials used . “ We emphasised the various materials and exposed structural elements of the building for interest ,” he says .
An external hub for public transport was developed within the precinct of the mall to attract more visitors and improve traffic flow by providing a designated area for public transport . Middelburg Mall features parking for 2,400 cars .
Brief The developers were looking for a contemporary design that would be iconic in the area . Easy shopper flows and visual appeal were important
Design MDS Architecture has designed a shopping centre that entices shoppers with its contemporary design incorporating warm and inviting design elements .
The front entrances of the mall feature exposed steel and structural concrete . From the outside , the off-shutter concrete frames the exposed trusses , creating an eye-catching portico . Rotating glass doors serve to minimise draught and dust penetration whilst keeping the entrances light-filled .
The finish on the exterior walls includes different types of brickwork and stone cladding . Red facebrick , plastered bricks and exposed stock bricks were all used , with exposed roof sheeting and wall cladding to further evoke elements of a typical mining house .
Pathways in front of the mall , leading towards the entrances , were specifically designed to enhance the traffic flow . Planted hedges were chosen instead of barriers to lead shoppers towards their destinations , creating balance and colour by the use of natural materials . Striking sculptures have been used to good effect outside the entrances and in the interior of the building , adding a playful element .
Inside , high level clerestory windows have been used throughout to naturally light the malls and the feature courts . At night , these clerestory windows give the effect of a lantern viewed from afar .
The mall features five promotional courts . Volume is a distinctive feature of the courts , as are the themed mosaic floor tiling designs inspired by Nguni cow hides . The flooring includes a combination of polished concrete and full bodied porcelain tiles .
356 Middelburg Mall