Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa January/February 2015 | Page 33

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.

In addition to their functional role, the
screens provide a powerful aesthetic to the
building, and are expressed as circular perforations on a regular grid to form tree motif.
Design Continuation
The concept of the tree motif continues into
the building and informed the interior design.
Tree patterns in various materials were added
to the lobbies and ablutions to give an illusion
of space. Back-lit forest screens, in both the
mens’ and womens’ bathrooms, illuminate

15 Alice Lane South

the areas. Playful mirrors dot the walls and
emphasise these panels. External planting
and cascading levels reduce the elevated
scale of the entrance which provides a softer
and more tangible environment.
The floors are connected over the atrium
through link bridges. The bridges are located
on the west side on the 1st floor and on
alternating east and west sides from the
2nd floor to the 4th floor. These were cast
integrally with the structure and assist with
flow between floor plates.

33