African Design Magazine August 2015 | Page 43

African project: 27Boxes 2 Making a bold statement, yet blending into the surrounding Johannesburg suburb, 27Boxes is a realisation of edgy design and practical implementation. A radical departure from the shopping malls of our generation, yet not a return to the high streets of our youth, 27Boxes showcases the best of a shopping centre set in a garden, surrounded by the bohemian suburb that is Melville. 7Boxes is built entirely from repurposed shipping containers, the first of its kind in South Africa. The design combines shipping containers, garden plants and rolling lawns, together with other brick and concrete elements for a richly different look and feel. Over a hundred traders have opened their doors at the long-awaited shopping centre with brands ranging from clothing to coffee; food, furniture and fashion; décor to donuts; biltong, bikes, bags, bistros and bus tours; art to architects and galleries to gardening for kids. The centre is a platform for pop-up shops, designers, artists and crafters to showcase their wares. With