and technical documentation stage by a Design Review Committee , consisting of representatives from the concept designers , the landlord and the project architects . This resulted , in most instances , in a high standard of shop design , fitting and merchandising .
The design review process will have to be maintained throughout the life of the centre in order to maintain high standards .
Conclusion The project architects , who had to ensure the realisation of DDG ’ s design concept on site , believe that the merits of the scheme could be summarised in a few points :
• a fresh and contemporary approach to redevelopment , without any of the ‘ period ’ clichés ;
• the challenge to keep 50,000m 2 of retail space trading while construction was taking place ;
• the introduction of new concepts , such as the events arena and the drive-in ;
• access to structured parking directly off council road networks or the internal ring road , by means of speed ramps into levels 3,4 and 5 ;
• installation of electronic directional signage , both within the parking garage , the site ring road network and the council ’ s external road network , to ensure problem-free entry into the parking areas ;
• introduction of new material - the tensile roof structure ;
• the degree of animation - sculptures , banners , lighting effects and internal and external advertising panels - adding to the contemporary and festive atmosphere ;
• a successful collaboration between North American and local consultants , where both parties could contribute and add value to the end product .
CONSULTING ENGINEER : WET SERVICES - REPORT The original shopping centre , dating from the ‘ 70 ’ s and ‘ 80 ’ s , together with the complete refurbishment and upgrade of the malls , required the total upgrade and renewal of all the wet services . This included the sanitary drainage and domestic water reticulation , using the most flexible system possible . The infrastructure had to suit the small shop owner as well as the large anchor store .
The National Building Regulations ( code SABS 0400 ) permits rational design by a professional engineer and this approach allows for innovation in the development of a technically more suitable and cost effective design based on engineering principles and not ‘ rules and regulations .’
Services in shopping centres have to be able to withstand ‘ abuse ’ by users , tenants and even
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64 Menlyn Park