African project
MultiChoice City
active technologies, and good passive design and material
choices. MultiChoice has long had a drive to improve their
sustainability within their built environment, and MultiChoice
City is the first building within the corporate’s stable to be
Green Star rated.
The building layout faces predominately east-west due to
the natural orientation of the property, which added to the
design challenge. Besides the thermally efficient glazing
chosen for the facades and the deep overhangs of the roof
which create much-needed shading, integrated blinds which
track the sun’s movement were specified, to adapt the
building to its environment and ensure comfortable working
environments within throughout the day. Both greywater and
rainwater harvesting systems are employed to minimise the
use of potable water for uses like toilet flushing and garden
irrigation. Practical specification of finishes including those
with low VOC emissions, local sourcing, and reduced resource
consumption such as low flow sanitary fittings , low energy
use bulbs on movement sensors, solar geysers and gas stoves,
were all brought to bear on the detailed design development
of the building. The HVAC system makes use of a thermal
storage approach which allows the manufacture of coolth
at night by freezing thermal storage balls – when loads are
low and energy prices are reduced – to use during the day to
power the AC when the building is actually at maximum demand.
A sustainable building is not only about resource consumption, but also about creating
better places to work, minimising sick days, and maximising successful production.
Besides the environmental quality issues the building addressed, MultiChoice has
also provided a number of amenities within the building improving the staff’s work
environment and providing convenience and time saving. These amenities include a
wellness facility with a gym, restaurants, a cinema, and major conferencing elements
with advanced technology, encouraging staff to connect with colleagues across the
country and the world, all from their base in Randburg. A Gautrain bus stop will soon be
located outside the campus, making it easy for staff to commute using public transport.
Within the scheme the project provides cycle parking and shower facilities, again
encouraging modal shifts from private car usage.
The aim of DSGN, the interior designers, was a scheme representing MultiChoice’s
corporate culture and articulating its brand values through three dimensional design.
Read more here
africandesignmagazine.com
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