PROJECTS
Providing the
‘total’ solution
Total SA, the international parent company of Total South Africa,
recognises the need to find new and innovative ways to
differentiate its petrol stations from their competition.
By Dayne Scrowther, architectural solutions consultant | Photos by Danpal
Total Elspark in Johannesburg with its new Microcell panels.
T
oday’s petrol stations serve multiple
functions, which include takeaway
food, supplying basic grocery items,
car wash facilities and providing the weary
traveller a comfortable rest stop. Yet,
practically, the various petrol station
brands, have the same basic layout and
visual appearance.
Total SA decided it was time for a
change, time to shake things up and offer
their customers a newer livelier aesthetic
experience – enter Danpal SA.
One of the most prominent features that
all petrol stations have in common, is the
canopy shading structure built to provide
shade for the vehicles being serviced at
each bay. Traditionally these tall open
structures have relied on the use of basic
metal roof sheeting, to clad over the steel
framework. This ‘cookie cutter’ approach
however, has resulted in each station being
largely uninspiring and indistinguishable
from the next.
Another issue, which is a direct result of
the solid metal roofing, is that the forecourt
area is cast into complete shade (depending
on the angle of the sun). The effect is one
where, the over-all aesthetic impact can
transition from uninspiring to
downright gloomy.
The Tair Canopy
The primary goal of every petrol station, is
to encourage new and existing customers to
turn off the road, and spend their time and
money using the chosen rest stop’s
facilities. Therefore, presenting the
customer with the best possible image the
brand can muster, is vital.
Studies show that daylight plays an
important part in the physiological and
psychological wellbeing of each person.
This essential element needs to be
harnessed appropriately to effectively
extend this feeling of wellbeing to the
customer. Danpal is a specialist in providing
light architecture solutions, and by
integrating our skylight roofing system with
Total’s canopies, a new canopy concept
was born.
Total SA from their headquarters in
France, approved this new style canopy and
called it a ‘tair canopy’. The Total Tair
Canopy is a fresh new take on the
RESIDENTIAL // COMMERCIAL // INDUSTRIAL
APRIL 2018
15