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.

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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.