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Senmin

SENMIN INTERNATIONAL OFFICES AND TECHNICAL CENTRE

Location

Sasolburg, Free State,

South Africa

Date

Ongoing

 

Client

Senmin International

 

Project Value

ZAR 76.5 Million

 

Size

2 581m2

This project could either be approached with a Two-buildings solution or integrated into one structure.  The Technical Centre is a controlled environment with restricted access but it needs to be featured internally to allow visitors a glimpse into Senmin’s technical capabilities. By the nature of its functions, fit-out, equipment and services it is a rectangular building.  In addition to the laboratory space there is a net office component of 200M2 to accommodate the TC staff while they are not preforming laboratory duties. 

 

The Office component evolved over months of consideration on the part of Senmin’s leadership from a newer, bigger and better version of their current cellular offices setup.  Transcending into a new flexible workplace, this structure is capable of supporting and fostering collaboration and communication by offering constant opportunities for staff interaction, both planned and spontaneous, through the provision of open plans and a mix of formal and informal meeting spaces.

I3 Melrose

BUILDING I3 MELROSE ARCH

Location

Johannesburg, Gauteng,

South Africa

Date

Completed 2003

 

Client

Sentinel Pension Fund

 

Project Value

ZAR 120 Million

 

Office & Retail Size

22 000m2 

(excluding basement)

Osmond Lange was approached by the Sentinel Mining Industry Retirement Fund in 1996 to create the brief, design and co-deliver (in association with Arup) the first phase of the Melrose Arch development. The client requirement was to create nodal property investment of lasting quality that would stand the test of time. Although primarily envisaged as an office park, it is the incorporation of a wide range of mixed uses that gives Melrose Arch its life.

 

Since the occupation of the first offices at Melrose Arch in late 2001, the new ‘town within a town’ has established itself not only as Johannesburg’s premier office address, but just a captivating place to be, meet for lunch or dinner, live, stay over, workout, and do business..

 

From the outset, Osmond Lange’s vision was to successfully fulfill our client’s wish - to create a development that would entice public interest, adding to its sustainable financial success.

 

In a civic society, the public spaces define the ethos of that community. Commerce is what brings a city to life; the ground plane of a city is where it all happens. The thing that most differentiates Melrose Arch is the Third or Public Space. If the first place is your home, the second is where you work, then the thrid place is the neutral ground; the empty stage where real connection occurs.

The space between the buildings becomes the positive space, with the building facades forming the boundaries. Osmond Lange were responsible for the design and execution of the urban fabric at Melrose Arch. The concept that the pedestrian is more important that the motor vehicle is the philosophy that governs the design.

 

Bulk Modelling

3D Bulk Modelling  techniques used at Melrose Arch allow ongoing optimisation of product, delivery and performance. They are also structured to facilitate annual valuations of the precinct.

 

Control of the Product

Osmond Lange was responsible for the production of ‘Functional Specifications’ with a comprehensive set of urban design guidelines. These have ensured a strong consistency of character, while allowing rich diversity.

 

These were used to brief the many different teams appointed to design the 15 buildings encompassing Phase 1. Heading up a ‘Design Coordination’ team, Osmond Lange ensured that the vision remained intact.

 

Interior Design

Osmond Lange Architects were responsible for all of the interior tenant fit outs in Melrose Arch.

Melrose Arch Super Basement

Due to the current high reliance on private vehicle transport, Melrose Arch has an extremely high parking requirement. Innovative solutions were required to accommodate the cars, without allowing car parks to overwhelm and dominate the urban fabric. The concept of ‘re-skinning the planet’, whereby a new ground or street level, in places 12m above the existing ground, allows for large structured parking decks that flow freely under all the roads. This accommodates diversity in usage by the many varied tenants.

 

This multi-use building is a core component of the Melrose Arch development. Retail shops & restaurants are situated on the ground floor, with offices above.

No.3 Melrose

NUMBER THREE MELROSE BOULEVARD

Location

Johannesburg, Gauteng,

South Africa

Date

Completed 2007

 

Client

Southern Palace

 

Project Value

ZAR 165 Million

 

Office & Retail Size

14 260m2

(excluding basement)

This 5 storey sectional title building anchors the  South East corner of the Melrose Arch mixed use development in Johannesburg.

 

As with all buildings in Melrose Arch, it conforms to a strong set of New Urban Guidelines.  The form of the building is a ‘perimeter’ block  containing two open landscaped courtyards and a large landscaped roofdeck area on the southern boundary. Circulation balconies provide access to a  varied array of self contained sectional title offices (300 -2800m2) on all floors. Two smaller bachelor apartments are situated on the top floor. The building is ‘underpinned’ by a 3 storey parking basement structure that links seamlessly to the rest of the Melrose Arch Superbasement.

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