IKUSASA OXFORD PARKS PRECINCT
Currently under construction at Intaprop ’ s Oxford Parks precinct , a new building is taking shape at the corner of Eastwood Rd and Oxford Parks Boulevard . The tenant is Anglo American , another blue-chip company to complement the big-league residents already established in this district .
Named Ikusasa , the Zulu word for Future , the 7,500m 2 of office space on four floors will house Anglo American ’ s Global Services division .
The design of the building had to take cognisance of the speed of construction necessary to meet the tenant ’ s requirements - aiming for fast erection without compromising on a high-end corporate product , while simultaneously reducing the company ’ s carbon footprint .
GLH Architects followed the tenant and developer ’ s aspirations for demonstrating environmental sustainability by expressing elements such as the solar panels in the design rather than concealing them . The building ’ s relatively long east and west façades required protection , which resulted in a rhythm of solid stone panels that simultaneously tie into the placement of the solar panels at an optimal 10 º sun catchment angle .
The north & south façades are far more transparent with energy efficient double glazing , protected by over-cladding ‘ wings ’ at the corners to effectively cut out the east and west exposure , as well as functional balconies and horizontal shading for the north aspect in summer . Automated sun-controlled blinds to cut out glare will complete a pleasant and healthy workplace .
By setting back the building at the street intersection , an inviting space is envisaged which denotes the entrance . The opening up of the corner mimics adjacent developments to become a mini piazza , complimenting the many public environment features in the precinct .
The recessed entrance at the northeast corner allows convenient access to the central core of the building which is utilised for amenities & support functions . Public interface spaces such as meeting rooms , a coffee shop and restaurant dominate the ground floor , each interacting with the surrounding streets and pedestrian zones . Simple , open floor plates allow for maximum flexibility and sub-divisibility around the central lobbies .
The materials selection is required to be in keeping with the project ’ s strict time constraints , with all elements having to be incorporated into a system of unitised panels , which can be erected as completed modules without the need for perimeter scaffolding . While this allows the building to be closed at record speed , the architects still want to create a diversity and contrast in the façades . This is achieved by using a stone-look tile for the solid elements to create texture and character , in contrast with more smooth and sleek aluminium cladding to the wings . A pattern of vertical fins protects the glass from low angle east / west sun and provide subtle colour to the north and south .
A prominent feature of the precinct design is the strong relationship of the buildings to their surrounds , requiring all parking to be subterranean . This heightens the sense of human scale and results in an incredible public environment connecting to activities inside . Streetscapes are focused on the pedestrian experience with landscaped links surrounding buildings to create mid-block public or semipublic spaces . It is refreshing to have a developer who enforces this vision in a manner that still provides the security to attract blue-chip tenants wanting to buy into a more urban integrated philosophy .
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