ERASMUS KLOOF COMPETITION ENTRY

Project Description

This vacant land parcel in the south of Pretoria, South Africa, sits directly between a large residential suburb and a large nearby commercial and retail development. The client sought to take advantage of the commercial expansion in the area and issued a competition brief to 5 selected firms, of which TCRPV’s won the bid. The site has many restraints inherent to it which is likely why development has been delayed to date. There is a steep slope running from the longitudinal main road on the western edge down to a river which bisects the site. Furthermore, existing electrical power pylons run through the site, creating a large servitude area where no building can occur. With access to the site only permitted along nonarterial roads, entry to the site is limited to the narrow ends. The design sees the provisioning of all building and structure parking along the western side running north to south. Approach from the north is celebrated with a feature civic

Development Data Project Role

Site Area: 64 270m²

Residential: 5 850m²

Retail: 28 500m²

Commercial: 6000m²

Total Floor Area: 40 350m²

Site Dims: m x m

Height: 4 Storeys

Coverage: m²

Project Value: R450 million

£21 500 000 building for the performing arts and local community spaces. This precedes the residential and hotel components raised above a two level retail edge that backs onto below ground parking located within the site slopes falling away from the west. To the south is then located a multi-storey main anchor tenant and future commercial expansion areas. A phased development approach started with this southern retail anchor as a minimal intervention for anticipated maximum return and provide the springboard for the northward expansion through subsequent phases once the commercial viability of the site had been established.

The servitude and river delta areas along the eastern side are to be transformed into natural, recreation areas for biking, running and hiking. The establishment of pathway links into the large residential areas to the east creates ideal pedestrian routes to the retail zones with a central restaurant and market zone situated at the heart of the development. Off- road cycling is a common activity on adjacent northern sites along the river edge and connecting this development as an extension to these routes will facilitate high usage as an end destination point.

Part of competition design team in charge of spatial planning, aerial and detail visualisations. Existing site analysis and programme option proposals.

The design called for vertical separation of roads and pedestrian routes, possible through the creation of landscaped berms and raised floor areas. This allows a multitude of different networks to inhabit the central circulation zones without impacting on one’s safety and experience.

Final design of Phase 1 is due to be complete in 2023 with construction aiming to begin before year end. Final completion anticipated in 2025.

Site Conditions

“A proper building grows naturally, logically, and poetically out of all its conditions.” - Louis Sullivan

ORIENTATION

The site has a prominent north south axis with shorter boundaries facing the north and south and longer boundaries facing the east and west.

TOPOGRAPHY

There is a drastic level change of about 20 meters from one corner of the site to the other. The south west corner is the high point while the north east corner beginning dipping to the wetland valley adjacent to the site.

STREETS

Delmas Road is a fast moving main road which connects to the N1 highway. Solomon Mahlangu Drive is a busy main road that runs along the south of the site and links the east with the west. Nossob Street to the north is a slower moving residential road which would be a preferred access point.

CONNECTIVITY

The site and its adjacent wetland is divided by an electrical servitude which should be carefully broken through to connect the two and ultimately to connect the development with its surroundings.