Vodacom Cape Town
| Project Name: | Vodacom Cape Town |
| Client: | Vodacom |
| Location: | 82 Century Boulevard, Century City |
| Date: | 2000 - 2001 |
| Size: | 12 500m² 500 parking bays |
Vodacom Century City is a regional headoffice building, located in the Century City development outside Cape Town on a site visible from the freeway. Century City had restrictive architectural conditions in place which demanded that the building style be classical in nature. The site is cut in two by a canal waterway that has to be kept clear for boat taxis and pedestrian access.
The resultant design is a four-storey rectangular building straddling the canal, with a central glazed atrium allowing light in, whilst protecting users from the temperamental Cape weather and winds. In the atrium, a sloped glass window allows passers under the bridge a glimpse up into the scheme. Water cascading over the glass creates constantly changing views for people inside and below. The well-lit atrium facilitates access to the staff restaurant, central conference facilities, a training area and the gym. Transparency and visibility were priorities for the client, and office spaces have clear views to the outside and into the atrium. Parking is provided in two basements with some external bays on the surface in front of the building.
The two main facades – facing the precinct and the freeway - are defined by arcades of four-storey concrete columns with corinthian capitals in classical proportions. The elevational composition consists of a sedate rhythm of windows and balconies in a classical style, with contemporary curtainwall glazing breaking up the long sides. The aesthetic colour palette is white plaster and bamboo-toned sandstone. A pitched roof in grey concrete tiles covers the colonnades running the full length of the building from east to west with a glazed skylight over the atrium allowing ample light to wash the space.
The resultant design is a four-storey rectangular building straddling the canal, with a central glazed atrium allowing light in, whilst protecting users from the temperamental Cape weather and winds. In the atrium, a sloped glass window allows passers under the bridge a glimpse up into the scheme. Water cascading over the glass creates constantly changing views for people inside and below. The well-lit atrium facilitates access to the staff restaurant, central conference facilities, a training area and the gym. Transparency and visibility were priorities for the client, and office spaces have clear views to the outside and into the atrium. Parking is provided in two basements with some external bays on the surface in front of the building.
The two main facades – facing the precinct and the freeway - are defined by arcades of four-storey concrete columns with corinthian capitals in classical proportions. The elevational composition consists of a sedate rhythm of windows and balconies in a classical style, with contemporary curtainwall glazing breaking up the long sides. The aesthetic colour palette is white plaster and bamboo-toned sandstone. A pitched roof in grey concrete tiles covers the colonnades running the full length of the building from east to west with a glazed skylight over the atrium allowing ample light to wash the space.
