SA: Trevenna Office Campus
“The site location is perfect,” says Wiehan Strydom of Atterbury Property, “as it is positioned in the heart of the government precinct of Tshwane. The Trevenna Office Campus is located on a prime tract of land which falls within the borders of eight newly completed buildings including the DTI complex; new SAPS Headquarters; upgraded Sunnypark Retail Mall and Holiday-Inn Hotel.”
“Not only is it close to various public transport facilities, but it is also a walking distance of the new Gautrain Station at Berea. The location is also highly visible and accessible from the surrounding road infrastructure,” continues Strydom.
After the completion and successful occupation of Phase 1A of this development, the consortium embarked on Phase 2 of the campus. Construction on this recent phase commenced in July 2008 and comprises three blocks totalling 23,000m2.
Upon total completion in March 2010, the development will significantly add to the upgrading of Trevenna and in particular to the Mandela Development Corridor. The first commercial development in this scheme, the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) building, has already ameliorated the area in terms of increase in commercial activity and visually improving an area that was in danger of urban decay.
Phase 2 comprises three sub-phases: Phase 2A, 2B and 2C. Each phase includes a single five-level building varying in size between 5,500m2 to 8,900m2 and comes with basement parking levels.
As expressed by Conrad Dinkelmann of Studio 3 Architects, the buildings essentially follow the previous phase’s modern and stylish A-grade approach. The ‘minimalist’ design was influenced by the site contours and the allocated budget.
Design
The urban design framework was an important factor in the development’s overall design. The campus is translated as a perimeter block encircling a central courtyard. Though somewhat enclosed, the building’s envelope is quite inviting as it opens up to the street allowing people passing by to have a glimpse into its inner-workings. Described as ‘pedestrian friendly’ the campus’s courtyard has timber seating for people to sit and take a respite while spending time in the courtyardIn the first quarter of 2007, Atterbury Property, Parkdev and the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) commenced on the massive office park development, Trevenna Office Campus, on a 3.86 ha site in Tshwane (Pretoria).
Sustainability of resources was considered and implemented into the design in the form of energy reduction and control through the usage of motion detection lighting, which determines whether to activate or deactivate based on movement in the offices. Heat gain or loss is regulated via high-performance glazing and sun-shading devices on the façades of all the buildings.
Strydom believes that this development successfully executes the client’s brief through its resourceful economic architecture, especially in times of global recession, when there are many financial cutbacks within the building industry. “We have created an environment that is pleasing and very functional while omitting elements that do not add value.”
The urban design theme of the entire Mandela Development Corridor is very important as it has been a catalyst for further development in the area, which directly supports the municipality’s goal of upgrading the entire Trevenna area. With two phases of Trevenna Office Campus already present and a third phase planned for completion in 2011, these developments have succeeded this far in the plan of modernising the greater City of Tshwane.
PROJECT TEAM
| Architects | Studio 3 Architects Mashabane Rose & Associates |
| Structural / Civil Engineers (Phase 2A) | PD Naidoo & Associates |
| Structural / Civil Engineers (Phase 2B & 2C) | Dekker & Gelderblom |
| Main Contractor | GD Irons |
| Quantity Surveyors | Storm Sciocatti Quantity Surveyors |
| Landscape Architects | Uys & White |
| Mechanical Engineers | Q. Mech Consulting Engineers |
| Electrical Engineers | Taemane Consulting |
