- APC storage solution office building -
Johannesburg, South Africa
The design is based on the North Façade on the existing building being highly visible from the Airport motorway as an advertising platform.
The design approach is twofold:
1 Using an Iconic sculptural form of the building to attract attention to the building and thereby exposure to APC.
2 This form had to be relevant to enhance the experience from the office, and be a practical solution at the same time.
The current windows are small and they have no sun control.
To optimize the sense of light without the sun being a problem
we have removed the existing windows and walls and made the external façade entirely glass.
We have then added a stainless steel mesh skin away from the façade, thereby reducing the sun penetration.
Between this skin and the new glass façade we have created a vertical garden.
This green “lung” is visible from every floor and is accessible from numerous points. Walkways will link balconies, within this green zone.
A mist/watering system will be incorporated to create a greenhouse effect.
This will also serve as a passive cooling system in summer, thereby allowing cooled air into the building via the windows.
The façade will be lit at night to enhance its form as a beacon of light, once again gaining exposure to the signage of APC.
