Good neighbour

Photography supplied

Building B, the second building in the developing Irene Link Precinct commercial office park in Centurion, is now complete. Directly adjacent to the Barloworld Logistics building (featured in the October/November 2019 edition of Leading Architecture + Design) – which was the first building in the precinct to be completed – the four-storey modern glass, aluminium and concrete building has been designed by Nsika Architecture & Design to have a distinct visual identity to help it stand out from its neighbour. Nsika also designed the Barloworld Logistics building, which features striking distinctive organic curves that communicate the new vibrancy and economic growth of the precinct.

Conceptually, Irene Link Building B has been designed as a permeable glass envelope that would allow for seamless views between the high-energy presence of the N1 highway and the quieter pedestrian scale of the adjoining Impala Precinct to the south.

The main entrance is centrally located on the north-facing façade of the building, overlooking the N1 highway, accessed via landscaped steps from the parking area.

Building B adds 7 200m2 of lettable office space to the precinct.

“In keeping with the envisioned architectural language of the precinct, the design employs highperformance glazing, off-shutter concrete versus rendering and steel/ aluminium screening – contemporary materials that knit the building into its context while maintaining a unique architectural identity,” says Nsika director Bryan Charters.

Nsika’s architectural concept was to create a permeable glass envelope that would sit lightly on a naturally ventilated basement, allowing for seamless views between the high-energy presence of the N1 highway and the quieter pedestrian scale of the adjoining Impala Precinct to the south.

The building's dynamic geometry, punctuated with projections, sits lightly on a naturally ventilated basement.

The northern façade, which faces the N1 highway, consists of two bold floating off-shutter concrete boxes flanking a triple-volume atrium. This impressive central space creates a sense of arrival and provides a ‘wow factor’ for building users. The front door, centrally located in a three-storey atrium, is accessed via landscaped steps from the parking area along the northern boundary. The stair and lift open into the atrium, thereby allowing all building users to engage with the atrium space.

A large, four-storey-high roof overhang creates an outdoor covered arrival space, as well as practical shading for the atrium. The fourth-floor aluminium louvres act as shading, as well as balustrading screening to the top-floor offices. Large areas of double glazing with opening sections every 3,6m allow abundant natural light and ventilation into the building’s internal spaces.

The southern façade engages with the precinct on a more intimate pedestrian scale. “We have pushed the basements as deep as possible so as to maintain the ground floor relationship with the street,” says Charters. “This allows pedestrians to engage visually with the building.”

The building massing and articulation follow the lines of the road, allowing for a dynamic geometry punctuated with projections. Extensive landscaping across the site softens the building, effectively integrating it with the urban park look and feel for the larger precinct. Planting along the podium softens the edges and introduces greenery to the spill-out areas.

The precinct is being developed with sustainability as its core aspirational value, and Building B has a 4-star Green star rating, thanks not only to cutting-edge technology, but also to passive design, including building orientation, limiting the glazing on the east and west façades, deep northern overhangs and shading. Irene Link aims to achieve a soughtafter 4-star certification from Green Star SA as a Sustainable Precinct. •

The impressive triple-volume atrium creates a sense of arrival and provides “wow-factor” for building users.

Professional team:

Architects and Principal Agent: Nsika Architecture & Design Developers: Abland, Giflo, SOM Quantity Surveyor: Quanticost Electrical Engineers: RWP Taemane Consulting Engineers Fire Consultants: RWK & Associates Structural & Civil Engineers: DG Consulting Mechanical Engineers: C3 Consulting Engineers Wet Services Consultants: CKR Consulting Engineers Sustainability Consultants: Solid Green Consulting Landscape Architects: Daniel Rebel Landscape Architects Wet Services Engineers: CKR Fire Engineers: TDW International