Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa January/February 2015 | Page 30

PROJECT

15 Alice Lane South
The building is a simple rectangular shape with a particularly
interesting façade and external creativity to make this yet
another iconic landmark in the heart of Sandton.

TEXT: PARAGON ARCHITECTS, TIBER CONSTRUCTION, COURTESY OF CONSTRUCTION WORLD
PHOTOGRAPHY: ANDREW BELL FOR PARAGON ARCHITECTS

15 ALICE LANE SOUTH
Sandton, Johannesburg
DEVELOPERS
Zenprop Property Holdings
Growthpoint Properties
PROJECT MANAGERS
CAPEX Projects
ARCHITECTS
Paragon Architects
QUANTITY SURVEYORS
Schoombie Hartmann
CIVIL/STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
Sotiralis Consulting Engineers
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS
Quad Africa Consulting
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
Adaptive Resource Engineers
WET SERVICES ENGINEERS
GK Pereira Consulting
FIRE CONSULTANT
TWCE
FAÇADE CONSULTANT
Andrew Riley & Associates
GREEN BUILDING CONSULTANTS
PJ Carew Consulting
LIFT CONSULTANTS
Liftech Projects
WEB-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Iqela Software Solutions
MAIN CONTRACTOR
Tiber Construction

1

5 Alice Lane South is located off Sandton Drive, adjacent to Sandton City Shopping
Centre. This four storey office park, with 3 basement levels, designed by Paragon
Architects for Zenprop Property Holdings and Growthpoint Properties, is a simple
rectangular shape with a particularly interesting façade and external creativity to make
this yet another iconic landmark in the heart of Sandton.
Architecture and Design
The context of this project had a profound impact on its design. This is the sixth building
on the Alice Lane Precinct and sits in the southern corner.
An early decision was made to rehabilitate the existing structure, originally consisting
of 5 storeys, including two basements, rather than demolish it. There were compelling
reasons for doing so, including cost and time benefits. However, it did complicate
structural issues somewhat, both vertically and horizontally.
Adjusted Plan
The original plan was stepped and this subsequently required the accommodation of
three different grid systems across the building, into the interstitial spaces around it and
the adjoining buildings. Three of the existing five levels were retained and converted to
parking. This has subsequently joined the existing super-basement below the precinct,
which will provide a total of 3,500 parking bays.
An additional parking level and transfer structure was added as well as five storeys
of office plates, each with a floor area of approximately 4,200m2. The length and width
of these plates initiated the need for a single internal atrium running the length of the
building that brings natural light and reduces the plates to a more manageable size.
The transfer structure sits above P zero level and acts as a junction for the transfer
of forces from o