Architect and Builder September/October 2015

PROJECT FEATURE AMALFI AMALFI APARTMENT BUILDING Moullie Point DEVELOPERS Barrel Cactus Property Development FINANCIERS WBHO Construction ARCHITECTS Fabian Architects QUANTITY SURVEYORS AECOM STRUCTURAL, FIRE & MECHANICAL ENGINEERS Sutherland Consulting ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS Aurecon ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS Neil Moir & Associates TOWN PLANNER Dave Saunders LAND SURVEYORS David Hellig & Abrahamse MAIN CONTRACTOR WBHO Construction T he Amalfi apartment building marks the focus of Cape Town’s Moullie Point sea front, completing the precinct formed by the lighthouse and entrance to the urban park. Since the 2010 World Cup related development of Green Point, the park has become an important new amenity in the city and the entrances to it have been carefully planned to coincide with existing landmarks and to direct new connections to important precincts in the area. One such precinct is Alexandra Place, bounded by Bay and Beach Roads, defined by the lighthouse and associated with the V&A Waterfront end of the Sea Point Promenade. Mouille Point (“Anchorage” in French), provides a remarkable backdrop for buildings, not so much because of Table Mountain in the background, but because the neighbourhood is only a single block deep. This especially privileges taller buildings, something supported in the rights allocated in the zoning scheme. Fabian Architects have previously delivered successful designs in Mouille Point, such as Mouille Sands, and the Amalfi apartment building continues the trend. Concept Replacing a former low-rise hotel building, the development is unique in Cape Town; with each level made up of double volume floors and containing mezzanines, including the retail level at ground floor. This is not a new idea and its most famous proponent was the French Modernist, Le Corbusier. Amalfi has exploited this idea well and is a handsome, clean-faced building, despite the awkward setbacks imposed. The dramatic apartments are thrown open TEXT Andries Samuel of Fabian Architects PHOTOGRAPHY Courtesy of Fabian Architects The development consists of 25 apartments and a total of about 7,000m² of floor space 52 Amalfi

Architect and Builder September/October 2015 | Page 54