PWC Head Office
Typology:
Office
Date completed:
2017
Area (m²):
46,000
Location:
Waterfall, Johannesburg
Introduction:
The Project is conceived as a 40 000 sqm stand-alone tower of some 26 occupy-able floors atop a 6 level parking structure offering 1822 parking bays.
The plan form of the building is an equilateral triangle with concave principal sides. This form creates the impression of a slender tower with narrow ends. The building’s principal services are contained in a compact central core with the fire escapes and HVAC plant rooms outboarded to the apexes of the triangle. The apexes also house small balconies on every level.
Description:
The typical tower floors generate a useable area of 1369 sqm and a rentable area of 1590 sqm. This equates to an efficiency ratio of 86%, which is excellent for a tower building. The resultant office space is a combination of single sided narrow office space and deeper space in a “wing” configuration with light and views from both sides. The office design is suitable for both open plan and cellular office configurations.
The design population for the tower is 3000 persons with a maximum occupancy on any given floor of 120 persons in open plan. The services design for the building is geared towards this population density. The design brief called for an elegant iconic tower building, which is to be a landmark in Johannesburg and further create a symbol for the Waterfall Business Estate, which will have the effect of attracting future investment into the node.
The form of the tower is unique in that it twists through its height by some 30 degrees. This form allows the building to effectively respond to its context at Ground level as well as providing “enclosure” to the Park at rooftop level. This twisted form creates the illusion that the building looks quite different depending on the viewpoint. The design aesthetic is of a clean, modern building with a smooth external skin further enhancing its unique form. The building terminates at roof level with an enveloping aluminium clad beam, which serves as a carrier for the façade access system as well as providing a palette for corporate signage on the skyline.
