Architect and Builder September 2020 | Page 38

TUYNHUYS TUYNHUYS Cape Town ARCHITECT Robert Silke & Partners DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, PROJECT MANAGER, PRINCIPAL AGENT & QUANTITY SURVEYOR BTKM DEVELOPER & SALES AGENT Willbridge CIVIL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS Nadeson Consulting Services ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS GJA Electrical Consulting Engineers MECHANICAL ENGINEERS Design It Green WET SERVICES Benatar Consulting FIRE ENGINEERS Neil Moir & Associates HEALTH & SAFETY CONSULTANTS Safetycon HERITAGE CONSULTANT Johan Cornelius ENERGY XA Green Plan INTERIOR DESIGNER Robert Silke & Partners MAIN CONTRACTOR JLK Construction PHOTOGRAPHY Dave Southwood Linley Meavers Tuynhuys is the futuristic new apartment block in Cape Town’s old legal district - replacing a faux Cape Dutch utility building whose false provenance scared off other would-be developers. Set in a stoic row of Victorians, this exuberant new high-rise proves that modern innovation is possible, and desirable, in even the most sensitive locations. Whilst the playful new tower respects its neighbours, it is no shrinking violet and its svelte muscular curves aim to be at least as attractive as its surroundings. Overview The 47 apartments range from 24m² studios to 82m² 2-bedroomed penthouses spanning eleven storeys on a site of only 460m², with just thirteen linear metres of street frontage. Parking is bravely supplied at a rate of only 0.5 parking bays per unit - which has not affected the marketability of the units in any way. Record sales rates and rental returns have been achieved. Whilst not a ‘view site’, the fenestration surgically extracts mountain and cityscape views from unexpected angles. Apartments without views are handsomely compensated with curved glass or circular windows. Due to the excellent relationship between developer and architect, commercial imperative and creative aspiration was beautifully and profitably merged. Tuynhuys uses innovative design to surgically insert high-density apartments onto a constricted site encumbered with numerous heritage constraints 38 Tuynhuys