PROJECT INFORMATION
Client: Department of Roads and Public Works
Value: R44 m
Year Completed: 2014
Project Team: Raymond Drake and Stephen Hartwanger
This highly complex project included the addition of a new 13th floor, a new fire-compliant stair and lift core, a high-level roof covering over a new internal courtyard space and an external façade steel structure to facilitate a future maintenance regime. All of these aspects needed to be executed within a live building environment. While not the most exciting project in an architectural sense, it does represent excellence in construction programming, precision structural steel fabrication and in terms of the application of onsite health and safety protocols.
PROJECT
Facing the imminent threat of being ‘condemned’ by the local authority, this existing building required an innovative approach to address critical issues. A thirteenth floor was added to alleviate the excessive costs associated with resolving structural water leakage problems on what was originally the twelfth-floor roof slab. Simultaneously, we were able to fulfill the client’s need for additional executive office space. Vertical circulation to this new level was extended by adding a new standalone stair and lift.
To address fire compliance issues stemming from non-compliant stairways and excessive travel distances to final exits, the U-shaped floor plate was enclosed on the open end with a new glass-encased stairway. Critical components like sprinkler and smoke detection systems were upgraded to align with acceptable norms.
Externally, the overall appearance required a significant upgrade from the previous grey palette – once voted the ugliest building in the Eastern Cape. Using a combination of three colors based on provincial corporate branding, accents were introduced to vertical linear elements, new glazed facades, and steel structure. A new roof gondola system was added to facilitate a regular maintenance regime.
