Curve Mall

PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

Pierre Lahaye, the partner at MDS Architecture heading the redevelopment of Maluti Crescent in Phuthaditjaba in the Free State, says that the previous existing strip mall has been incorporated into a shopping centre that is double the size and that a new node has been created. The new mall creates a crescent shape to tie into the existing shopping centre.

The layered sandstone formations of the nearby Maluti mountain range inspired the graphical representations on the exterior of the building.

A covered exterior section of the mall has been designed to include informal traders, creating a unique overall retail experience for shoppers.

“The layout was transformed from that of a 22 000m square strip centre overlooking on-grade parking, into an enclosed shopping mall of 35 000m quare with two levels of structured parking. In what is thought to be a South African first for a regional shopping centre, local informal traders have been integrated into the scheme,” explains Lahaye.

The incorporation of the informal traders creates a unique overall retail experience for shoppers at Maluti Crescent. “An exterior food court offers a covered area with smoke vents to ensure the food traders are able to cook in the area and sell their wares. The development has provided the infrastructure, which creates unique opportunities for the traders without requiring excessive capital outlay on their part,” he says.

Shopfronts are 3,3 metres high, but they appear higher as a result of the use of dark bulkheads.

The interior features a number of references to local culture through fabrics and tiling patterns.

The overall design incorporates a second crescent curved mall that ensures visitors are constantly discovering new views as they move along. A part of the existing building is already covered and this walkway was revamped to match the new mall additions.

THE SITE

Maluti Crescent is situated at the foot of Parliament Hill, the historical local legislature of the former Qwa Qwa homeland. A number of overhangs on the building demarcate areas of transition – inviting gatherings and providing opportunities for mingling – to create a new aspirational public building.

The site has a significant fall of over nine metres and the existing building steps down along the site. The fall was utilised to showcase the panoramic views of the beautiful Maluti mountains through a new double-volume court with a large picture frame window at the junction of the existing and new buildings.

Stylised mobiles draw inspiration from oversized mokorotlos, the traditional Basotho hat.

CHALLENGES

Tenants needed to trade throughout the construction period, which can be challenging. “The development team went to great lengths to minimise disruption to the existing centre, which meant tenants could trade with minimal disruption,” says Lahaye.

ENTRANCES AND COURTS

Maluti Crescent has two new feature entrances as well as access from the parkade. Sandstone formations from the nearby Maluti mountain range were the inspiration behind graphical representations on the exterior of the building and at the entrances.

Stylised landscapes have been created on walls in transition areas throughout the shopping centre. An abundance of diffused light has been introduced throughout the building to ensure a connection with the outdoors. “The Maluti mountain range is one of the few places we get snow in South Africa. The building is therefore well insulated to avoid excessive heat loss or gain,” says Lahaye.

The Sky Court features a window with views to the Drakensberg mountains to draw visitors’ eyes outwards, and provides one with a datum and a sense of place in the environment.

INTERIORS

The interior features a number of references to local culture through fabrics and tiling patterns as well as accents, including stylised mobiles that draw inspiration from oversized mokorotlos, the traditional Basotho hat.

An abundance of diffused light has been introduced throughout the building to ensure a connection with the outdoors.

Rooflights and clerestory windows with woven fabric pendant lighting emphasise the ceiling design. While shopfronts are of standard height at 3.3m, they appear higher as a result of the use of dark bulkheads. “Sculptural elements have been included throughout to soften the building, while being mindful of service and maintenance requirements.”

Rooflights and clerestory windows with woven fabric pendant lighting emphasise the ceiling design.

The floor tiling mirrors the rock formations in terms of colours and design. The colour palette has been integrated with monochromatic earthy colours at the courts and places of transition within the shopping centre. Tactile timber handrails and balustrade designs create warmth in the interiors.

Stylised landscapes have been created on walls in transition areas throughout the shopping centre.

The floor tiling mirrors the rock formations in terms of colours and design.

“The existing entrance comes directly off the street, which is fairly unique for a regional shopping centre, and is well utilised by pedestrians,” says Lahaye. “It ties the building neatly into the overall urban precinct. This was refurbished to tie in with the look and feel of the other new entrances with wall graphics that draw inspiration from the popular local sand art bottles.”