SPECIAL FEATURE Canal Walk Shopping Centre at Century City PROJECTS

Client and Leasing Monex Development Company (Pty) Ltd Financiers Standard Bank Properties Project Managers SIP Project Managers (Pty) Ltd Architects Bentel Abramson & Partners (Pty) Ltd (shopping centre, offices & malls) Monex Design (entertainment centre) Quantity Surveyors McIntosh Latilla Carrier & Laing Canal Walk Shopping Consulting Engineers Structural & Civil Partnership de Villiers Centre, Century City Mechanical Pearce & Nair The largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere recently Electrical opened to enormous crowds. This regional shopping centre concept PMR Engineering Services aims to make a trip to a mall an all day experience. Rational Fire Design PMR Engineering Services Roads VKE Engineers Lead Transport Consultants Arup (Pty) Ltd artin Wragge, of Monex Shopping Centre, which led to Tygerpark, Transport Consultants Development Company, identified the Velodrome and the surrounding Jeffares & Green M the swampland, now known as business areas. Sandton Shopping Arcus Century City, as a suitable site for Centre, in the northern suburbs of greater Traffic development. The land had been set aside , and many others, have BKS (preliminary work) for low cost housing, but he visualised it had a similar effect on the proliferation of Town Planners as a premier node for offices. This area development in the surrounding areas and Planning Partners was envisaged as the first true office park on the environment. environment to be created in the Western Located off the Freeway, centrally Landscape Architects Cape, which would incorporate a work situated between and the CBD OVP environment encompassing all the of , approximately seven Land Surveyors requirements a safe and pleasant office minutes from either side, with direct David Hellig Abrahamse Le Brun could achieve - security, easy access from access off the freeway, the site has the Earthworks a major freeway, access to shops and most accessible location in South . Power Construction plenty of parking space. As a result of this The fact that this is a regional store Main Contractor vision, many corporate head offices have environment, rather than a neighbourhood Murray & Roberts Cape (Pty) Ltd now located their headquarters in the shopping centre, has resulted in the Photography Century City precinct. concentration of a whole shopping Historically, shopping centres have experience, instead of the rapid arrival, Geoff Grundlingh been the catalyst for huge building shopping and departure, that is the usual Brian Chitty (aerial) projects; they have spawned office target experience of the shopping centre Louise Farrow developments such as the Tygervalley devotee.

38 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK EXTERNAL ARCHITECTURE responsible architects, they had done a Shopping centres in the present day great deal of research, both nationally and environment are usually vast boxes - inward internationally, into shopping centres. Bentel looking and unwieldy - which require a great Abramson & Partners found that centres deal of manipulation to maintain interest in designed in the ‘architecture of the day’ the mammoth space used. The architects may date, whereas complexes designed in have had to attribute a human scale to a style based on a major architectural everything they plan, in order to reduce the period, in the neo-classical style in this enormous expanse to manageable instance, may weather and require proportions, both visually and practically. refurbishment and repainting but not Canal Walk has been designed redesigning, restoration and redecorating. symmetrically, balancing the line shops and The major magnets in the country are used the anchor or ‘magnet’ tenants. Two 8 storey as the basic cornerstones and anchor office towers fix the axis of the centre which stores for the centre, taking into account has been designed in the form of a figure of the size and location of the stores. eight to reduce the scale of the complex. The neo-classical entrance arches can INTERNAL PLANNING assist in the understanding of the ‘inside As previously stated, the mall has been from the outside’ as well as aiding orientation. designed in a race track configuration of a figure of eight, with a double level CONSTRUCTION throughout and large openings between The client’s brief with regard to the design the upper and lower levels. This and construction of the complex required configuration gives an extremely compact a neo-classical approach, in keeping with footprint to the complex, despite the size the style already associated with other of the building, and the large openings developments in Century City. As emphasise the allowances made for

Top Left: Typical entrance from car park into the shopping mall

Centre: Lower level entrance with office gazebo above

Top Right: Bridge detail - precast balustrading and piers consistently appear throughout the scheme.

40 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK abundant natural light. On section it is possible to see the shops on the different levels and the signage enables one to achieve this aim without being cut off from the level on which one is walking. By using the anchor stores as magnets, the line shops are able to attract passing pedestrian traffic, as the distances between the magnets saw to it that all the line shops were relatively close to one of the key anchor stores. The flow generated by this layout ensures that all the tenants will be able to attract pedestrian trade. Magnet stores naturally demand key positions,

Centre: Facade looking out onto Half Moon Bay

Top: Two office nodes taken from the upper level parking deck

CANAL WALK ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 41 sight lines and access to parking areas, the other levels of the mall as well. The which demand was met by the architects. links on the lower level are heavily themed. Due to the size of the project it was decided One link is the African themed ‘Afri Bizarre’, to opt for two themes for the malls, namely, where Ndebele paintings, wire art, rock The Victorian Mall and The Classical Mall. and sandstone sculptures and artefacts The decision to opt for these two styles are available. This section was developed once again assists in breaking down the to encourage smaller tenants, who could size of the complex. start with a kiosk and grow into something The Classical Mall contains coffer larger. ceilings, brass and stainless steel handrails, marble floors with mosaics and water jet cut patterns and murals in raised and fielded panels. The theme of the murals is ‘Art of the World’ and incorporates art scenes of the Renaissance, picturesque and local works by artist Keith Alexander. The Victorian theme results in a much more colourful mall, utilising turn of the century railway structural steelwork, porcelain tiles with borders and cast steel benches. Several African artists’ works have been used in the panels in the bulkheads and banners above the malls. The directory boards are made of cast steel with rivets and distinctive roof shapes. To ensure equal strength for the two main malls, there are link malls, which have their own themes. At the east end of the mall is the children's mall, called the Puzzle Pad, which uses the characters, such as the snake, to continue the theme started there. Lego, lollipops and bright colours form the focal point of the link between the two malls. At the western end, ‘a high fashion’ link employing an art The eastern end has the Skywalk Mall, deco theme, utilises stainless steel, dark where the Star Wars concept has been timber and an abstract design employing given free rein, and high tech elements artists such as Tamara Delempicke. combine with Moroccan ‘souk’ At various node points the customer architecture. Floors in concrete combine can walk through large shops, with star astrological patterns, space maps and shopping on either side. This occurs on fossils with the Moroccan theme.

Above: Various mall details. Decorative entrance to the Afri Bizarre link, Puzzle Pad and Ratanga Snake balustrade detail.

Right: Art Deco balustrade in the Fashion node.

Far Right: Highly articulated friezes and columns. Brass, glass and stainless steel balustrading in the classical mall.

42 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK THE ENTERTAINMENT ZONE AND PROMOTIONS COURT The Entertainment Zone falls in the centre of a large atrium, flanked on either side by Nu-Metro cinema complexes and fast food outlets. It spills out onto the Half Moon Bay area of the canal. There are large video screens and booms where cameras can reflect what is happening in and around the centre. A company, Near Entertainment, has been developed in order to furnish the centre with an ongoing theatre concept. A choreographed series of shots of happenings around the centre will appear to the viewer as spontaneous occurrences. The decor consists of an eclectic mix of space ships in the West Piazza. A striking feature in the Entertainent Zone is the Marmoleum floor, which has been laid in and around the food hall. The amount of traffic in the area required a durable and hard wearing surface, which made the choice of Marmoleum ideal. Made up of various intricate designs, this floor is the largest Marmoleum aqua jet installation in the world. The Promotions Court has a Venetian Smalto Murano glass mosaic, which is the largest in the southern hemisphere (the area can also be flooded). The 600m2 court had to meet extremely high technical requirements as it will be used as a submersed water feature and a high traffic floor for promotional purposes. Produced in Italy under exclusive licence, the product is manufactured with 24 carat gold powder which gives the special highlight iridium mosaic a beautiful iridescent effect under light. The artwork and design was developed by Dennis Maas, of Monex Design, and the artistic realisation including design layout, was

Left: The entertainment zone features the largest Marmoleum aqua jet installation in the world.

CANAL WALK ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 45 Top Right: Graphic representation of the Venetian hand cut Murano glass mosaics in the Promotions Court.

Below: Exterior facade features in the Half Moon Bay area.

carried out by Carmen West. The geckos, surfaces which give a striking contrast star and eye panels were hand cut, chip effect between the marble tiles. by chip in the Italian factory, according to The Victorian Mall has highly decorative the design and then delivered to South mosaic centre panels on the bridges, Africa, where the panels were put together created using a combination of waterjet on site. The sun rays were also created on cutting and marble mosaic inlays below. site and grouted with a special gold For those visitors to the complex who glimmer grout, which was developed for require a peaceful, sophisticated and the installation. calming area for fine dining, a portion of The Classical Mall has unique marble the mall, the West Piazza, has been set mosaic panels as a feature decoration and aside as a crescent shaped area called The a special highlight on all 24 bridges which Pavilion. It is grassed and has a water are elegantly framed with columns and frontage, which enables the creation of an arches. The mosaic has a special glimmer outside dining experience as well as space effect due to the handmade uneven for small chamber groups or intimate bands.

46 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK CANALS controlled by computer. The fire systems, The mountain horseman stands guard The Grand Canal links Ratanga Junction, to temperature and security are all computer alongside the canal and one of several the west, to the Island and its wetlands to controlled, with multiple cameras bridge links. the east. Bridge elements link up and allow monitoring the whole centre. for future co-existence between the office Shopping centres such as Canal Walk population and the shopping centre. A small have supported industries, providing art in Express Holiday Inn is taking shape to the new materials. In this instance, for example, west and will add to the users of the canal the cupolas are actually manufactured and and the centre, as small restaurant and designed out of polystyrene coated office nodes develop along the embankment in planned future development. All users will be able to traverse the canal by means of electric boats that will ply the waters.

MTN SCIENCENTRE On the west upper level of the mall lies the MTN ScienCentre, the first interactive science centre in the country. The ScienCentre adds an educational dimension to the entertainment mix offered by the Canal Walk. School groups and other students will be able to make use of the facilities. In order to assist and stimulate use of the centre, facilities for buses have been made available.

FACILITIES The building is a highly sophisticated complex, controlled by a building management system where all facilities are

CANAL WALK ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 47 material. The artists were supported in the development of various sculptures, theme paintings, wrought iron steel works, plaster mouldings and many other related items. Another example is the demising columns. These decorative columns separate the various shops and have a moulded Corinthian capitol which looks like stone but is cast in Jesmonite. Shopfronts were designed to allow for different styles and effects. A range of This page: Bench in Classical Mall. materials allows for and encourages variety. 3.6m high shopfronts (higher than the Opposite page standard) were designed to enhance Right: Detail of balustrading in the visibility. Victorian Mall The complex was built of post-tensioned concrete in order to be cost-effective, but Centre: Classical Mall balustrading with this resulted in the necessity for co- planter in the foreground. ordinated ‘guesswork’ about the future Far right: Decorative panel detailing in needs of tenants, almost all of which, the Victorian Mall fortunately, proved correct.

50 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK CANAL WALK ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 51 Top Left: Dome at node over Victorian Mall, with moveable gantries

Top right: Precast moulded detailing on parking deck

Below: Dome at Classical Mall node with feature flying buttresses taking mass to the deck.

PARKING DECK The entrance into Century City from the N1 Freeway gives direct access, via a ring road system inside the site, which is used as a distributor to the parking decks. The parking decks are constructed of post- tensioned concrete, with cores allowing for ramping and servicing of the entire complex. Parking (on both the upper and lower levels, with a mezzanine level as well) has been designed to make access to the malls an easy task for the visitor. The ring road is ramped in order to allow visitors to enter the parking deck at different levels without having to change levels internally. The parking has been situated on the one side of the shopping centre in order to permit access into the shopping complex from the canal without the disturbance of a parking garage breaking access. The whole area has been provided with lifts, trolley ramps, and staircases. Signage in the area has been broken into zones, which vary in colour. Animal icons, such as crabs, have also been used to aid in the identification of visitor whereabouts.

QUANTITY SURVEYORS’ VIEW A long association with Monex and a wealth of experience in the financial management of ‘Super Projects’ were the main contributing factors to the appointment of McIntosh Latilla Carrier & Laing (MLC) as the quantity surveyors for the R1.6 billion Shopping Centre. The success of a project of the magnitude of Canal Walk depends almost entirely on the ability of the client, consultants and contractors to work together as a team, communicate efficiently and create the synergy required ‘to go the extra mile’. MLC have been involved with

52 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK Canal Walk since 1995 and, as one of the Over and above the monthly detailed first appointed professionals, were cost report / viability update tabled to the instrumental in assisting Monex to client and financiers, the fast track nature assemble the right team of consultants. of the job, together with the continuing Once the team was in place, the design development, also necessitated a planning and design stage started in early weekly budget update report, which 1997, and over the following two years provided the client with the information no less than 11 schemes, each with needed in order to make informed decisions. numerous options, were developed, MLC’s other major task was the financial costed and tested for their financial viability management of some 520 tenants and until the optimum development solution their associated fit-out requirements. This was reached. involved setting up the tenant manuals, With the finance secured in March 1998, preparing budgets for specific tenant MLC’s next challenge was to select the requirements, advising on lease right contractors and subcontractors for agreements, calculating leasing fees, the job. This was achieved through a costing all tenant variations and finally process of tendering or negotiating, calculating each individual tenant rentable depending on the nature of the works, and area, together with agreeing the tenant eventually some 220 contracts were accounts. The monthly cost report also placed, totalling R900 million. contained a leasing schedule, which The financial management of such a provided up to date information on the large number of contracts required gross rentable area, leasing status, substantial manpower, and to this end, projected income, operating expenses and two MLC directors together with a team first year’s return. of 11 quantity surveyors and support staff Canal Walk was an exhilarating project, were dedicated to the task. A satellite office a major challenge and a monumental team Above: Dome at outer node, adjacent to was also established on site, from which effort for MLC. They felt privileged to have one of the office suites with 8 storey day to day site activities were monitored. contributed to this challenging project. office blocks in the background

CANAL WALK ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 53 DEVELOPERS Design described the design challenge of The evolution of Canal Walk into a social creating the centre as “punishing,” yet both destination was central to the vision of he and Jan Loubser of Bentel Abramson Martin Wragge, who said that the challenge and Partners, felt it was a privilege to work in designing environments like this centre on a project of this magnitude. lay in the fact that other than for basics, Emphasis has been placed on the people don’t need to shop. The shopping accessibility and convenience for shoppers. experience has to deliver something more; Century Boulevard, the internal ring road, a leisure experience that has to become distributes vehicular traffic to three levels theatre! The long canal, with the theme of parking, with direct access off the N1 park at one end and the wetland at the freeway. Motorists travelling north will be other, bordered by the shopping centre able to drive off the freeway into the parking with more than 450 shops, will offer the lot without stopping at a single traffic light visitor a great deal more variety than has or stop street. been on offer prior to this development. As previously stated, the ethic of the The Entertainment Centre with its entire Century City development is to offer massive multimedia entertainment and the visitor, office worker and other inhabitants promotions court, houses 20 cinemas, fast and tenants a total experience. The prime Liz Muller Design was responsible for food outlets and restaurants and features objective of a working, leisure and shopping many of the retail interiors at Canal a stage and food court leading to the environment with no need to leave Century Walk, such as Treehouse featured piazza outside. Dennis Maas of Monex City other than to head off home. above. The company is the only specialist retail design company in the country offering a complete turnkey service. Headed up by Liz Muller, who has many years of retail design experience, the company has won a number of international retail design awards. Up to date on all the current fashion and design trends, Liz Muller is continuously exploring new ideas and visual concepts.

Examples of one of the many escalators installed in Canal Walk.

54 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK Aerial view looking towards the west over the parking decks, with in the background.

TOWN PLANNING BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT OF CENTURY CITY by Geoff Underwood, Planning Partners

BACKGROUND freeway at several points and has the The Canal Walk Shopping Centre is the potential for railway services to its boundary. main feature of Century City, which is a The boldness of vision has surprised many, large mixed use project currently being but what is remarkable is the rapid progress developed on a 200 hectare site within the which has been achieved since the property Cape metropolitan area. While much was rezoned, and the environmental attention has focused on the shopping engineering which has transformed the centre, the project as a whole is interesting wetland. Initial controversy and probable from a town planning and developmental misunderstanding about the project, on perspective. Century City was conceived what was originally a seriously handicapped by Monex in 1995 and is notable, not only site, has now resulted in a successful in terms of its scale, but also for its strategic wetland using recycled water and location, as well as the varied and supporting a wide range of plant and bird integrated range of activities and innovative life. Not only is the wetland environmentally approach to development planning control. attractive but it also forms an integral part The site is particularly well located, of the storm water management system. It adjacent to the N1 freeway, which is the enhances the real estate value of the site main approach road into Cape Town from and increases the amenities for residents the north. It enjoys direct access from the and visitors alike. While credit for the rapid pace of development is due to the developer, it has been assisted, in no small measure, by the supportive and pro-active role of Blaauwberg Municipality, the local authority responsible for the area. Their support included acceptance of a flexible develop- ment management system, based in part on the “package of plans” approach used at the Waterfront, but refined by Planning Partners to suit the particular needs of Century City. This system provides the developer with the scope and flexibility to respond to market forces and emerging real estate possibilities, including a floating bulk which is assigned to individual land units as they become available for development. At the same time, the system provides the local authority with sufficient checks and balances to manage the development process in the public interest.

56 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK PLANNING PRINCIPLES increase the range of natural habitats A central feature of the site is the urban available. Separated from the permanent water body or grand canal, around which water body by a ridge of relatively is located the regional shopping centre impermeable stiff sand and clay, is a (Canal Walk). The shopping centre is seasonal or ephemeral pan, where every extensively covered elsewhere in this effort is made to protect the natural article, but it is worth noting the size, design ecosystem. This requires that urban storm detail and mix between retail and water must be diverted away from the pan entertainment, which contribute to the and human activity must be minimised. success of the project. From this centre Offices and studio apartments are there are linkages over the canal to the located around the edge of the wetland, north bank, for which a combination of with access from an internal ring road and office, retail and residential development orientation over the wetland, thus providing is planned. A secondary canal system will an attractive natural outlook. At the ground extend into the north bank precinct, floor level are planned restaurants and accessing streets in the form of a modified speciality shops to serve the needs of the grid which will help to structure the site. offices and residents in this precinct. The vision here is for an urban precinct of Pedestrian access is encouraged along a reasonably high bulk but containing walkway next to the canal. buildings that respond to the principles of On the western side of the site is an “new urbanism”, with emphasis on the entertainment complex and theme park pedestrian and public realm. known as Ratanga Junction. The concept The canal provides an attractive setting is to provide a new form of family and focus for this development; bringing entertainment that is big and exciting, water and human interest into the precinct. providing emphasis on rides and family Above: Preliminary details produced by An integral part of the system is a wetland thrills. The park includes musical revues, the architects of mall floor mosaics. which comprises two elements. This is a tubular steel roller coasters, water permanent water body containing islands adventures and special attractions for and surrounded by a buffer of terrestrial young children. vegetation. This is specifically designed to An office park is at an advanced stage encourage birds and reduce human of construction alongside the N1. Office interference, although controlled groups buildings are grouped in landscaped may enter this area for environmental surroundings with a local canal winding education purposes. This part of the through the precinct. The character of wetland system has been established to architecture contains neo-classical assist with water purification and to features, and the urban design intends to

CANAL WALK ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 57 combine built form, human activity and canal system to produce an interesting and attractive environment. The challenge is to mesh these principles with the ambitions of individual developers who are more interested in making a statement on their own site than in responding to the public realm. This is a real problem often faced by urban designers and requires a balance between commercial pragmatism and enforcement of design principle. The planning vision anticipates that residential units will be interspersed throughout the site in the form of studio and loft apartments, flats and group houses. In this way, Century City will remain a vibrant place after business hours. The Graphic Laminates were commissioned initial market response to this residential to produce a stained glass effect on the component has taken time to gain designated site, but in the meantime public steel and glass smoke screens in the momentum, although several development transport will rely on buses and taxis. An Canal Walk shopping centre. They were projects in the pipeline include an upper internal shuttle bus system is already chosen for their ability to deliver a level of residential apartments. Hopefully, operational and a central terminal has been product with solid blacks and more over time the attractions of the site and constructed for buses and taxi services. intense, vibrant colours. the convenience of living close to all the Combining urban places and natural Four basic designs were required, each amenities of Century City, will prompt systems will remain a challenge, but is in two colour variations. Each design developers and buyers to invest in the important for true sustainability. Higher printed to actual size in 1.35 metre residential sector as well as in the business density mixed use development is sought sections to create the final display - 8 sector. in Century City; around the multi-purpose metres high by 10 metres wide. The wetland, alongside the more intimate local finished graphics were supplied on-site. CONCLUSION canals, and overlooking urban squares and The project was printed on Graphic Future challenges remain at Century City, landscaped spaces. It is in these spaces Laminates' Arizona Digital Press using which are being addressed, but require where urban greening will help to achieve 3M Graphic Marking Film, with solvent ongoing work. These include the provision the balance that is needed. based inks to achieve the desired and management of public transport and The aim is to develop Century City into stained glass effect. balancing urbanism with sustainable a place that is lively, safe, rich to the environmental management. In the field of senses, full of choices, ecologically transportation, a sophisticated impact sustainable and economically viable. It will assessment and modelling exercise has be a vibrant place to live, shop, do business been completed, with innovative and have fun. While the achievements to arrangements for joint public private sector date have been impressive, there is much funding to install transport infrastructure. still to be done to complete the vision. It will be a fine day when the rail authorities Hopefully the positive co-operation and construct a railway station on the partnership that has emerged between Monex and Blaauwberg Municipality will continue with the new unicity local authority. Certainly Century City should not be regarded as unwelcome competition to the CBD or Waterfront, but rather as complementary, helping to increase the economic base of the region with concomitant increases in jobs, salaries and Derek Saul: Unique sculpture, painting tourists, and providing the citizens of Cape and creative design for the building Town with a greater range of choice and industry as well as theming of the opportunity. Skywalk link entrance. Specialist in direct carving, sculptural and structural Geoff Underwood is a director with the metal work. company, Planning Partners, which offers a professional service in the field of town planning and landscape architecture. Geoff has been involved with the Century City project since its inception in 1995, and This Page: Examples of standing and continues to give planning advice to Monex hanging mall signage and Blaauwberg Municipality in order to balance the interests of both the developer Far Right: Impressive entrance to the and the general public. Skywalk link

58 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK TRAFFIC STUDY and workshops with local planning Arup was the lead consultant on the authorities, the team was able to establish preparation of a traffic impact study for an understanding of the transportation Century City, completed in September requirements of Canal Walk, and its 1999, which laid the groundwork for Canal interaction with the rest of Century City Walk transportation planning. Because of and the broader metropolitan area. the unprecedented scale of Canal Walk The overview of the regional and Century City as a whole, original transportation planning exercise provided research had to be undertaken to insight and planning tools that could be determine how many trips would be applied to detailed arrangements for Canal generated by the development, where they Walk, such as ramp and intersection would come from and how they would be configurations and the high-capacity made. Through comparison with other facilities. This led to improvements that developments in and have been planned for the internal and overseas, extensive simulation modelling external transportation systems, including the steel bridge that now provides direct access from the N1 into the Canal Walk parking areas. This bridge was designed by Arup to meet Monex’s requirements for a structure that would be in keeping with the development’s high standards of architectural detail. The planning process also revealed that it would be necessary to provide a transportation system that would provide a high level of integration between various modes of travel. Planning for access, circulation and parking had to balance the accommodation of cars with the needs of commuters and visitors that will travel to Canal Walk by train, bus and taxi. Above: Precast decorative architectural Consequently, even those who do travel mouldings carrying the Century City by car will discover an internal movement logo appear consistently throughout the system that allows them to make the most project. of what Century City has to offer by Opposite: Canal Walk viewed from the travelling by canal, boat, train and bridge viaducts. Filigree element of pedestrian systems that link Canal Walk bridge obelisk also visible. with other attractions of the development.

60 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK HVAC REPORT in the centre and boasts one of the most The air conditioning system comprises one sophisticated lighting control systems in of the largest central chilled water plants. the country. It employs intelligent lighting Four large centrifugal chillers 3,500 kw(R) and stage effects usually found only in each and three small screw chillers major entertainment venues. A centralised 1,250 kW(R) each, make up to 17,750 kW(R) computer controlled metering system with installed cooling capacity. 140 air handling a secure web page enables users to units mounted in plantrooms serve the inspect their current and past electricity, various areas. The major tenants, nationals gas and water consumption at the click of and restaurants have constant volume air a mouse. Stand-by power ensures that the handling systems. The lineshops have life-safety systems and major tenants variable air volume systems. The malls, function flawlessly during a power failure. with their extensive rooflights, are fully air The fire safety system designed by PMR conditioned off the lineshops plants. The ensures the safety of the centre in the rooflight glazing was thoroughly event of a fire and includes the following investigated with a professional team to features: arrive at the most suitable and cost • pressurisation of escape routes; effective selection. The air conditioning • smoke ventilation from the mall areas system is computer controlled by one of using smoke detector controlled panels the largest systems installed to date in the which open in the roof lights; in the country. • powered ventilation of smoke from the larger shops; ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC, • automatic closing of fire doors to escape RATIONAL FIRE DESIGN routes which are protected against the ENGINEERING SERVICES DESIGN effects of fire for two hours; RESPONSIBILITIES AT CANAL WALK • automatic shut-off of the gas pipe work PMR Engineering services were responsible within the building in the event of a fire; for the design and supervision of the • the automatic shutting down of air electrical, electronic, fire-safety systems conditioning in the event of a fire to and vertical transportation in the Canal prevent the spread of smoke and fire; Walk shopping centre. • automated evacuation messages; The total electricity consumed by the • the homing of lifts to the ground floor in centre is equivalent to that of a small town the event of a fire; of 2000 households. The system uses 26 • automatic selection of CCTV cameras main transformers, and innovative design in the main control room for the easy has ensured a very economical electrical viewing of a potential fire situation; Above Left: Airconditioning spiral infrastructure. The external lighting and • the automatic summoning of the fire ducting forms a feature in the mall lighting are seamlessly integrated with brigade entertainment zone. the architecture, adding drama to the grand • an automatic sprinkler system and Above Right: Unique fire hydrant scale and rich detailing of the building. The generous provision of fire hose reels, signage using animal character. entertainment area is an important node extinguishers and fire hydrants.

62 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK The fire safety system is controlled by sophisticated fire control computers which adhere to rigorous safety standards and allow the fire safety officer to view detailed maps of the centre showing all of the systems and devices described above. The parking control system designed by PMR comprises 42 entry and exit booms, and 23 pay-on-foot stations which are continually monitored from a central control room by means of video cameras. Each device has an intercom connection to the parking control room for the convenience of the public. The closed circuit television system designed by PMR includes more than 140 cameras, state of the art continuous digital recording, and a sophisticated control room with several ergonomically designed monitoring systems that are manned 24 hours per day. The vertical transportation system comprises 50 lifts and 34 escalators, ensuring easy vertical movement for the public as well as for goods arriving and for refuse leaving the centre.

CONCLUSION The intense pressure of working on a fast track project of this magnitude has caused many problems and sleepless nights for the professionals, contractors and myriad of sub-contractors, artists and others employed on the project. However, the first impressions of the giant complex are favourable. Wide malls, ample parking and a seemingly never ending variety of shops and restaurants available to the visitor, should add to the opening success as other offices and nodes develop in the area.

Left and Above: Classical Mall and accompanying detail of elegant light fittings.

Right: Demising column that separates the shop fronts, with its decorative Jesmonite corinthian capitol and accompanying light fitting.

CANAL WALK ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 63 Project Information

Leasable area of Retail Plantrooms 122,000m2 120 Leasable area of Offices Waterproofed and paved areas 91,000m2 on the roof 61,000m2 Parking bays provided (direct parking) Damp proof coursing installed 7,530 28 kilometres Parking bays Waterproofing membranes 2 (additional access) 125,000m 4,000 Reinforced concrete utilised 120,000m2 Length of shopfronts provided 4,6 km Bricks used 12 million Area of malls 18,000m2 Pavers used 3,5 million Number of shops Selected sub-contractors Should you misplace the insert 460 Suspended post-tensioned 150 plans of Canal Walk in this issue, decks contact us to order a back copy. Number of Lifts 2 Direct sub-contractors 220,000m Subject to availability we keep 41 40 Grand Canal water surface area stock for 10 years. Number of Escalators 37,000m2 Contract period 26 30 months Tower cranes used to pour Number of staircases concrete decks Project value 74 10 R1,6 billion

64 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK Art of Plaster at Canal Walk

Plaster Art is run by Eddie Quayle, the fourth member of his family to pursue the craft. He assists clients with design and development, and they are encouraged to visit the workshop to view samples of enrichments. Many of these are based on age- old traditional mouldings from old European buildings.

Plaster Art employs its own labour force, which is essential in any industry which is labour intensive. The staff emanate from previously disadvantaged communities and are trained and developed in-house. Through this training totally unskilled initiates have developed and acquired remarkable skill and ability to use their own initiative, and in some instances exhibiting evidence of great artistic talent.

Plaster Art is also moving into the rainwater disposal field, as they now use polignite (Jesmanite) material for manufacture. The material is entirely malleable and waterproof, making it ideally suited to a wide variety of applications. Colourful snakes are a fun addition to the Kiddies Mall, Canal Walk

These distinctive moulded planters were custom-made to add to 3D signage and masks form an impressive entrance to the the ambience of the Classical Mall at Canal Walk Afri Bizarre at Canal Walk, Century City

Specialists in manufacturing of: • Wide variety of custom designed mouldings • themed articles (such as the Ratanga Junction snakes) 7 Jellicoe Avenue, Epping 1 • Tel: 531 3609 • planters E-mail: [email protected] • architectural mouldings • 3D signs Advertisers On This Project

abe Construction Chemicals Cobra Watertech Pas Classic Steel SA Suppliers of a complete range of Manufacturers of the largest Suppliers of wrought iron construction products, including range of water control fittings in components, ranging from fencing, balustrading and grilles Index Waterproofing systems; the country to furniture, chandeliers and Fosroc products and Dow Corning CP Metals candlesticks silicone sealants Manufacturers of metal parts, custom designed balustrading, Pearce & Nair Albert Carpets metal spinning and polishing. Consulting mechanical engineers Floor covering specialists, Epoxy powder coating Planning Partners supplying a wide range of local CPC Town planners, landscape and and imported carpeting and floor Specialist installers of ceilings, environmental consultants tiles bulkheads and partitions Plaster Art Arup (Pty) Ltd Coroma Doors Specialist manufacturers of Consulting Engineers Manufacturers of industrial, custom designed architectural mouldings, planters and 3D signs commercial and domestic garage Grandi Manufacturing and automated doors. Engineering services and Radflex manufacturers of metal parts, Manufacturers of expansion joints Crammix Bricks custom designed balustrading, Manufacturers of a range of clay metal spinning and polishing. Shower Concepts bricks and pavers Epoxy powder coating. Manufacturers and suppliers of wide range of shower doors Daikin Airconditioners Graphic Laminates Specialist airconditioning Print and laminate digital graphics Snapper Display Company manufacturers and suppliers onto various substrates. Windows, Suppliers of counter-top, freestanding, collapsible, Electrosonic walls (murals), ceilings floor graphics to fit any specified size exhibition and suspended display Architectural lighting specialists. units and light boxes Suppliers of award winning Martin Improvair Professional-Living Light Air-conditioning and refrigeration Southern Airconditioning manufacturers Specialist airconditioning and Electrical Reticulation Co. (ERC) refrigeration contractors Electrical engineering contractors K T W Bentel Abramson & Partners Specialists in architectural and Standard Bank Properties Frost International Architecture, interior & graphic structural precast concrete Property Finance, Advisory design Contractors supplying manual and Services, Joint Ventures automatic revolving doors, sliding L B H Precast StonCor Africa Bobcrete door operators, acoustic operable Architectural precast specialists Suppliers of Bituthene Specialist precast concrete slab walls and fire doors Marley South Africa waterproofing products and stair manufacturers. Geoff Grundlingh Manufacturer and distributor of World of Windows BPB Gypsum Photography both semi and fully flexible vinyl floor tiles, sheeting, cushion Manufacture, supply, installation Manufacturer and marketer of GP Koning flooring carpeting, marmoleum and glazing of custom designed gypsum based plasters, ceiling Waterproofing, roofing and light and specialised flooring products. aluminium and timber shopfronts and interior partitioning systems weight screed specialists including roller shutters Masonite Manufacturers of Soundstop acoustic ceiling products McIntosh Latilla Carrier & Laing Quantity surveyors and construction consultants Murray & Roberts (Cape) Ltd Main contractor Partnership de Villiers Consulting structural and civil engineers PPC Largest manufacturer of Portland cement in the country.

66 ARCHITECT & BUILDER November/December 2000 CANAL WALK