ensuring that the technical mastery and architectural design intent was not compromised . This included flexibility requirements to reduce the costs associated with future tenant fitouts and maintenance . This was achieved by utilising concealed smoke ventilation solutions and incorporating aesthetically pleasing bulkheads for smoke compartmentation .
The mall is protected throughout with a state of the art sprinkler protection installation that incorporated 23,000 sprinkler heads . Additional storage tanks have been installed in strategic
locations to ensure that while any sprinkler system is being adjusted for future tenant changes , water can be temporarily stored and then be reused in the system . The common areas of the mall received fire departmental clearance more than a week prior to the mall opening ; a feat in itself considering the fast paced progress for this type of development prior to opening . This is a testament to engagement with the local authority throughout construction .
Technological Innovations The developer was able to introduce a number of technical innovations . These include tap-to-pay parking at exit booms . Digital wallpaper – video walls surrounding lifts that showcase thematic and seasonal displays and a first in SA on this scale . Directional touch screens to help shoppers find their desired store and fibre optics for speedy , free Wi-Fi .
Landscape Design The client valued the landscape design as an important component of the project and its contribution to the surrounding area . The landscape design complements the mall with a totally indigenous landscape that focuses on creating colourful effects in the landscape . Planting lines are clean and minimalist , acknowledging the architecture .
The indigenous landscape includes very strategic plant choices owing to the potential high wind conditions of the site , as well as sandy soils and drought conditions . This strategy was adopted to ensure that the plants develop and adapt to their full potential and a fair percentage of the plant choices are actually plants that occur naturally in the area .
Coral trees were used to colourfully frame the main road entrances to the mall off Berkshire Boulevard and to give these approaches visual
588 Table Bay Mall