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N O   1   S I L O

Allan Gray Headquarters, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

2013

 

Silo 1, together with its neighbour Silo 2 (7 floor residential and ground floor retail) define the northern edge of the new Silo Precinct and are the first phase of the new Precinct at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa.  They are informed by an urban design concept which gives significance to the existing, historical 1920s Grain Silo (home of the Zeitz MOCAA gallery) positioned at the heart of the Precinct.

 

The building’s conceptual foundation and façade resolution were informed by the integrity of the industrial and historical V&A Waterfront buildings, whose character was functionally efficient and honest, giving priority to practicality over image. The new building reflects these principles to achieve authenticity and contextual sensitivity.

 

The main entrance to No 1is aligned with the historical grain conveyor belt axis, which linked the Silo to the quayside.  This axis leads into the atrium, a key space in the building. This atrium includes the primary circulation elements, maximises internal transparency and facilitates communication within the building. The main office spaces are arranged across five levels around it, looking both into the atrium and out towards the harbour. Meeting rooms, some of which project as pods into the atrium space, are easily accessible throughout.

 

Sustainable design was implemented without compromising on functionality, aesthetics or occupants’ comfort, and the building achieved the second Office 6-star as-built rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa. Key sustainability features of the building include the triple glazed skin façade with automatically controlled blinds between the skins. This reduces heat gain and glare whilst providing occupants with light, comfort and views. This, along with a sophisticated sea-water cooling system and ‘displacement’ ventilation, substantially reduces the energy demand of the building.

 

Project in association with Rick Brown + Associates.

 

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CREDITS                                      

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Developer / Client
V&A Waterfront

 

Project Sponsor

Allan Gray

 

Town Planner
Neil Schwartz Town Planning

 

Urban Designer
City Think Space

 

Heritage Consultant
Nicolas Baumann Heritage

Management Consultant

Visual Impact

OVP Associates

(Visual Impact Assessment)

Transport

Arcus Gibb Engineers

Landscaping Architect

Planning Partners

EMP Consultant

Ecosense Environmental Practitioners

Environmental Consultant

Khula Environmental Consultants

Environmental Consultant

SEC (Sillito Environmental Consulting)

Project Manager / Principle Agent

Mace

Quantity Surveyor

MLC

Civil &Structural Engineer

Sutherland

Electrical Engineer

Solution Station

Mechanical Engineer +

Façade Engineer +

Environmental Engineer +

ICT/AV/Security +

Wind Engineering Consultant

Arup

Geotech Consultant

Roger Hendry

Local Authority Approvals

Liesa Bristow

Land Surveyors

Friedlaender, Burger & Volkmann

David Hellig & Abrahamse

VPM Land Surveyors

Occupational H&S

Eco-Safety Systems

Fire Engineer

Keith Fletcher & Associates cc

Enabling Works / Principal Contractor

WBHO

Disability Consultant

Disability Solutions

Kitchens

Mastrantonio

Acoustic Consultant

SRL

Independent Commissioning Agent

Matrix Consultant Services

Photographers

Michael Groenewald

Melanie Meyer

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AWARDS                                    

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THE CAPE INSTITUTE OF

ARCHITECTURE

2015 CIfA Award for Architecture

No.1 Silo , Cape Town

 

ARCHITIZER A+AWARDS

2015 Special Mention

No.1 Silo: Allan Gray Headquarters,

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Highly Commended in the WAN

Sustainable Building Award 2014.

No 1 Silo, Cape Town

 

2014 Steel Awards Architectural

Category Winner

No 1 Silo, Cape Town

 

2014 SAPOA Awards Overall

Winner

No 1 Silo, Cape Town

 

2014 SAPOA Best Overall Green

Award

No 1 Silo, Cape Town

 

2014 SAPOA Best Corporate Office

Award

No 1 Silo, Cape Town

 

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY

AWARDS

Arabia & Africa 2013 Award

Winner - Best Office Development

No 1 Silo, Cape Town, South Africa

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