Bl ue print
Urban
Urban art gallery Phot og r aphy Barry Gol d man
The intriguing design of Rustenburg Mall, designed by MDS Architecture, provides unique sensory experiences and an urban art gallery while celebrating the power of teamwork.
A
fter almost seven years of planning, Rustenburg Mall opened its doors on 29 April 2021. The development is a collaboration between Moolman Group, Twin City Development and JB Holdings. Pierre Lahaye, partner at MDS Architecture, says, “The design of the 40 000m2 Rustenburg Mall is rooted in the context of its surroundings, both natural and developed. The renowned Rustenburg Kloof features dramatic rock formations and iconic Acacia trees. The broader area has several agricultural businesses, and the site is located within 1km of the largest public
The logo for Rustenburg Mall is a clean, contemporary take on the symbolic Acacia tree, which also serves as the key design element throughout the structure.
28 Leading Architecture + Design JUNE/JULY 2021
transport hub in South Africa, which serves both taxi and bus commuters.” The form of the building mimics a tree. The tree symbol is so entrenched in the plan of the building that it also serves as the key design element in the logo for Rustenburg Mall, which is a clean and contemporary take on the revered Acacia tree. There are over 120 stores in Rustenburg Mall, ranging from popular national tenants to new stores such as Drip, Home Choice, Legends Barber, Sneaker Factory, Offspring by Uzzi, G-Star, Polo, Primark by Truworths, and Le Coq Sportif as a standalone store. Continued next page//
