GROUND FLOOR PLAN
RESTAURANT
POLLSMOOR
Retail Africa , which constituted part of the client , was responsible for the successful tenant mix . A Pick n Pay Family Store is the central anchor tenant , with two restaurants at either end providing the balance . The centre was fully let at opening and there is already a waiting list – a testimony to good marketing and a strong tenant mix .
Construction Peter West Construction , part of the development team , was also the main contractor . To enable ease of construction , the architects ’ brief was to limit design to domestic construction methods
STEENBERG GOLF ESTATE
PICK N PAY
MOUNTAIN VIEWS
LOADING
RESTAURANT as far as possible . However , all good intentions evaporated when the contractor moved on site and discovered a dump below the benign surface , stretching across most of the site . Despite a geotechnical report , the extent of the landfill had not been identified . At great expense to the client , the foundations and slabs had to be redesigned . In some instances the pad footings had to drop to over 4m below ground level .
There is no doubt that the design guidelines for the Westlake Estate have helped in achieving a precinct , which is relatively cohesive , although somewhat eclectic in character . But , there are strong arguments for and against the use of guidelines .
The most important aspect to remember is that Design Guidelines ( DG ’ s ) do not inherently equal good design . Design guidelines would not be necessary in most instances if one simply appointed a good architect .
NEW DEVELOPMENTS Much new development in South Africa takes place on new pockets of Greenfield land . Once the roads and services are in place the landscape is devoid of a built context . The benefit of a rich heritage and city fabric , which we find in settlements built over long periods , is missing . Greenfield precincts could benefit from the early establishment of a strong vision and character for the new neighbourhood .
In the vacuum of no vision , a free-for-all may ensue . This has happened at Sunset Beach where many houses have been built from building line to building line and in poorly executed styles ,
94 Steenberg Village