Architect and Builder September/October 2015 | Page 22
printed layer. This allows building users to feel
connected with the external environment whilst
managing the building’s thermal performance and
controlling glare and heat-build-up within the atrium
space. The ETFE material does not degrade under
ultraviolet light or atmospheric pollution which
makes it an ideal choice for a building roof. An added
benefit in Highveld thunderstorms is that it is far
acoustically superior to a hard roof surface such as
metal or glass.
Around the atrium, several pause areas and
breakaway zones where staff and visitors can
interact animate the space, and dynamically
planned bridges and stairs criss-cross the atrium at
different angles and levels connecting the various
departments. This planning approach emphasises
the flexible ways of working required in a creative
modern work environment, by increasing the places
where casual exchange of ideas and discussions
can occur; not only at traditional desks or offices.
From the early design stage, MultiChoice wanted
to create a place where they could have large
staff gatherings to launch new products or make
exciting announcements, and the atrium design
is purposefully flexible to allow such performance
and events. At the ground floor a coffee shop spills
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out into the atrium beneath the bean, and trees
planted level with the atrium floor further reinforce
the impression of the outdoor connection of the
atrium street. A gym on the fourth floor is open to
staff of the MultiChoice group which has wonderful
views across the city to both the Johannesburg and
Sandton CBDs.
Sustainability
From the inception of the project, focus was placed
on the sustainability of the building. The approach
to achieve this was a sensible combination of valueadding active technologies, and good passive design
and material choices. MultiChoice has long had a
drive to improve their sustainability within their
built environment, and MultiChoice City is the first
building within the corporate’s stable to be Green
Star rated.
The building layout faces predominately eastwest due to the natural orientation of the property,
which added to the design challenge. Besides the
thermally efficient glazing chosen for the façades
and the deep overhangs of the roof which create
much-needed shading, integrated blinds which track
the sun’s movement were specified, to adapt the
building to its environment and ensure comfortable
Multichoice City