Cape Town's Tallest - Portside

"dhk architects Portside the first high rise development in South Africa to achieve a 5-star 'Design' rating". - dhk architects

To have had the opportunity together with the staff of dhk architects on a tour of the nearly completed Portside building in Cape Town, was truly prodigious. Currently, the tallest building in Cape Town, Portside encapsulates the energy of a rapid evolving world-class city, with dynamic architectural design features inspired by environmental sustainability - not forgetting 360° picturesque landscape views of the Mother City. 

The 139m high building features 32 floors over 52 000m² of office space, 1 200m² of retail and banking space - easily accessible from all side of the ground level, together with 1 382 parking bays housed on 3 basement floors. Aimed at reducing the large amounts of fuel and energy used by vehicles, leading to greenhouse gas emissions - the building provides hybrid/alternative fuel vehicle parking, of which 70 parking bays will be dedicated to. 

Situated in a prime location, bordered by Buitengracht, Hans Strijdom, Bree and Mechau streets, the high rise development capitalises on the sublime panoramas of Table Mountain, Lions Head and the Atlantic Ocean - all complementing the beauty of the Mother City. 

Unobstructed panoramic views of Lions Head, Table Mountain and the Cape Town CBD. 

"A particular challenge was the balancing of a vast double-glazing curtain wall facade with the mechanical and electrical services necessary to maintain high occupant comfort. This is a great example of dhk;s commitment to sustainable architecture and green design", states dhk Director responsible for Portside - Steve Peters.

The immense project is set to become a landmark tower in the emerging financial district in the Foreshore area of Cape Town's CBD and is a welcoming boost for the local construction industry, representing substantial investment into the Western Province of South Africa.

High ceilings, clean lines, rich textures and a seamless light atmosphere.

 

City central birds eye view - busy as always. 

 

Photographs: Vikash Parbhoo 

Internship. Episode #09

The past two weeks, I have been working mainly on Mill Square and Eikestad in Stellenbosch, which i will go more into detail below. Together with a few amendments and additions to the Working Drawings for both BP projects. 

There was a proposal for a Wind Lobby area in Eikestad Mall, close to the Food Lovers Sushi bar. Basically, to limit the amount of excessive wind that enters the building, which in turn affects the temperature of the sushi bar area. The intent was also to help reduce energy from the entrance mechanical shop-front doors, from continuously opening and closing due to patrons frequently entering that area. 

Below are a few sketch design renders for a proposal to the clients. 

All images are copyrighted and remain the property of the rightful owners.

-archivikash-

Internship. Episode #08

Voting Day took place last week on the 7th. It was a great experience to have voted for the first time ever, being a born-free citizen of South Africa. To be able to contribute towards a better future, one vote at a time - it's a great opportunity.

Weather wise, it has been rather cold in Cape Town. I suppose there has been a bug going around, affecting quite a bit of colleagues at work. That too, and the air-conditioning system I suppose. Regardless of the bitterly cold mornings, construction has been progressing well in Stellenbosch. Yesterday morning we were on site, monitoring the progress as such. The past week we were also on site, for the roof-wetting ceremony. My first roof-wetting ceremony to date. Basically, a function to celebrate the roof being on he building, including all the contractors, site managers, architects and everyone who is involved in the construction of Mill Square. Below are a couple of images taken of the progress of work, not forgetting a snap of the stunning views from the 4th floor. 

Mill Square 4th floor progress:

 Mill Square to Eikestad link bridge progress:

The Monochrome? Well - just one of those days!

All images are copyrighted: Vikash Parbhoo Photography

-archivikash-

The Sagrada Familia - Completion in 2026

I came across a rather fascinating video on Gizmodo this past week. Showing the culmination of brilliant design ideas in a video less that 2 minutes, showing how the famous unfinished Sagrada Familia would look when completed, which should be around 2026, if all goes to plan, according to Jordi Fauli - the current architect on the magnificent life-sized sand castle. 

Construction on the Sagrada Familia began in 1882, and since Gaudi's death in 1926, nine architects have been put on this never-ending project. One of the main roadblocks to its completion was the fire in the crypt of Sagrada Familia in 1936, which destroyed all the plans, sketches and models which Gaudi had left behind. This of course forced later designers and architects to interpret what they 'thought' Gaudi wanted the basilica to look like. 

When completed, the church will stand 170 meters tall, at its center, with a total of 18 towers - 12 dedicated to the apostles, 4 to the evangelists, 1 to Jesus and another to Mary. 

To find out more information, make a donation or to follow progress, visit:
www.sagradafamilia.cat

New in Innovation - 'The Shoffice'

Neither a Shed, nor an Office. 

It's a 'Shoffice'!

An innovative part-sculpture and part-shelter in London's St. John's Wood neighbourhood, it definitely brings both nature and simplistic architecture closer together. It serves the dual aspect as a garden shed and an office for the respective owner, hence the catchy nickname, "the shoffice". 

The structure, designed by Platform 5 Architects, sits in the garden as a continuous form, as part of the natural surrounding elements. The abstract organic forms pierced by voids, such as skylights and roof openings, were influenced by the works of late English artist, Barbara Hepworth. 

The Shoffice was constructed from two slim, curved steel rings, connected with timbers, thereafter covered in plywood sheathing. The interior and exterior are covered in American white oak. A single cantilever desk is  housed under an angled skylight, with a secondary abstract roof opening, allowing a certain amount of natural sunlight when needed.  

Overall, the form echoes those found in nature - the continuous abstract forms, smooth lines, organic colours and the visibility of raw materials. Those all create a relaxing atmosphere in which to work. Unfortunately, there have been no deals about mass producing the shoffice, because I personally, would love to work in such kind of environment. I suppose it will remain as it was intended to be: one of a kind!

Photography: Alan Williams Photography

Pick of the Week - Mountain House

I truly admire architects who are considerate about the natural habitat they are working with, as well as incorporating the indigenous lush greenery together with the architectural design. Van der Merwe Miszewski Architects do just that with many of their works, especially with Mountain House, which I am excited to review today. Showing off the infamous Table Mountain as a stunning backdrop and panoramic scopes of the Mother City, this home is definitely one with picturesque views, being situated on a steep sloping site.

Architects: Van der Merwe Miszewski 
Location: Oranjezicht, Cape Town; South Africa
Structural Engineers: Hulme & Associates
Contractor: DDC Construction 
Landscape Architect: Room to Grow
Year: 2011

In order to achieve the least amount of impact of the site, the house had to be comprised of five pavilions, which are incorporated and tucked into the sloping terrain, surrounded by existing natural fybos - which stretch from the mountain slopes above the site, all the way to the road below. The five pavilions mimic the slope of land in a sense that leaves have fallen down the mountain. Which proves that the pavilions are in sympathy with the site and the surrounding context, in order to achieve as little impact as possible on the existing natural landscape and indigenous habitat. 

"Organic architecture seeks superior sense of use and a finer sense of comfort, expressed in organic simplicity".  
- Frank Lloyd Wright


The wavy roof also comes across as one of the pieces lifted off from the ground, settling over the habitable spaces and platforms. The concrete roof curves in both directions and is influenced by the curved nature of the cliff faces of Table Mountain above, as well as the contouring slope of the site below. The roof therefore expresses the continuity of the curve, together with the mountain faces and the curved slope of the site.  

Spaces have been made habitable using the traditional old-age manner of inserting walls into the landscape, thereby creating usable platforms and exterior terraces. The colours of these stone walls also mimic the look and feel to the cliffs of Table Mountain above, as its presence anchors and expresses the design into the landscape. Glass is also used to enclose these platforms, to create habitable spaces within the indigenous natural surroundings. 

Photography: Van der Merwe Miszewski Architects