*Sandton Apartments, Johannesburg, South Africa
Feasibility Study 2008
Feasibility study undertaken for a mixed use residential building for a development firm in Johannesburg, South Africa. The site is situated on the perimeter between a sub-urban edge and the start of the commercial district which is characterised by a marked gradient in scale and grain.
We sought to organise the site into a series of courtyards and the development is split into three tower elements that wrap around three courtyard garden spaces. A common spine acts as a link through the gardens, which are made up of undulating ground surfaces, swimming pools and water features. The massing of the buildings is divided into two levels, an eight storey volume which rises to a large terrace with a fitness centre and swimming pool, the building then steps back to a slimmer volume another 8 storeys high.
Climate control is achieved by orientating the residential units towards the north with a 2m deep loggia space providing sun protection and outdoor balcony space. Cross ventilation is provided through the depth of the building plan with areas of the eastern and western facades peeling away to provide surface modulation to the building mass and restrict overlooking.
Architects: Neil Dusheiko Architects
Collaborator: Eric Martin, Nikolai Delvendahl
