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Project Features

Cosentino and Tom Dixon Transform the World of Bathroom Design with “Metamorphic”

by Media Xpose April 20, 2023

On display during Milan Design Week, the installation challenges conventional interpretations of the bathroom from a simply functional space to a sculptural place of refuge and contemplation – made possible with Dekton®

Milan, Italy (April, 2023) — For Milan Design Week 2023,Cosentino Group, the Spanish global leader in producing and distributing innovative and sustainable surfaces, is collaborating with world-renowned British designer Tom Dixon and his team at Design Research Studio, to inspire the design world with a bold architectural vision for the bathroom space entitled, “Metamorphic.” Brought to life nearly entirely with Dekton®, the ultracompact stone, the installation showcases the versatility, sustainability, and durability of innovative materials to spark ideas for the future of bathrooms.

Challenging the perception of the bathroom as a purely functional, hidden space, “Metamorphic” is a high-impact, architectural and sculptural intervention that reinvents the position and visibility of the bathroom in interior design. Inspired by Tom Dixon’s fascination with new methods of modular construction and deep understanding of the properties of Dekton®, the installation features four modules of varying size that showcase a new vision of the bathroom space as a focal point of interior architecture. “Metamorphic” brings visitors on a journey through the modular world, with surreal shapes and the dramatic effect of water, sound, and light.

“I’ve long been fascinated by prefabricated bathrooms inserted into buildings as modules, which was the departure point and initial inspiration behind ‘”Metamorphic”’. After visiting the Dekton® production facility in Spain, I was enthralled by the innovation and sustainability of the material. The durability and beauty of Dekton® allowed me to create a unified and seamless 3D installation – almost as if it was carved out of stone. The end result showcases the bathroom as a practical place of refuge and awakens the opportunity for these spaces to be more expressive and heroic,” added British designer Tom Dixon.

Cosentino has exhibited during Milan Design Week for 15 years, including at Salone de Mobile during EuroCucina as well as Fuorisalone in 2019. This partnership marks Dixon’s return to Salone after nine years, making it an important moment for both brands.

Metamorphic by Cosentino and Tom Dixon 02-min

“What an honor it is to collaborate with Tom Dixon for the first time and to do so at a design industry event of this scale,” said Eduardo Cosentino, CEO of Cosentino North America and EVP of Global Sales. “Cosentino envisioned an installation to showcase Dekton’s versatility beyond countertops and truly inspire the design community. ‘’Metamorphic”’ has done just that, providing designers and specifiers a unique perspective on the endless range of applications with Dekton® and possibilities and concepts for the future.”

The sole collection used to create the installation is the new Dekton® Pietra Kode, which reinterprets the timeless beauty of three classic Italian stones: Vicenza, Travertine and Ceppo di Gré. The five colorways featured -Grafite, Sabbia, Ceppo, Nebbia and Marmorio – convey the look and natural texture of classic Italian stone.

“Metamorphic” is on display at 11 Via Palermo from April 18 – 23 with personal tours given to small groups every 10 minutes. Learn more at www.cosentino.com/landings/metamorphic.

April 20, 2023 0 comments

Project Features

Paragon Interface completes multi-company fit-out at 1 Park Lane

by Media Xpose May 30, 2022

If designing the interior fit-out for an iconic building is not enough of a demanding challenge, imagine the complexities that arise when such a building contains a number of different clients, each with their own requirements, branding and aesthetics.

This was the challenge that faced interior architecture company Paragon Interface, part of the Paragon Group, at 1 Park Lane in Sandton.

“Essentially what you end up with then is a number of smaller, self-contained projects contained within the whole,” comments Paragon Interface Associate Kirsty Schoombie.

Located within the new Katherine Street mixed-use precinct, 1 Park Lane is a P-grade development within walking distance of Sandton City and the Sandton Gautrain Station. It has seven levels of parking and a ground floor, with Bidvest Financial Services occupying the building from reception to Level 4.

There is an impressive double-volume space on Level 5 that forms the shared reception area for both Peregrine and Citadel. This is an elegant, high-end space containing various-sized meeting rooms. The signage and artwork in this space was designed in collaboration with Citadel marketing agency Bain & Bunkell.

It came up with the unique concept of naming each meeting room after a prominent Johannesburg street or location, including specific photographs and locally-commissioned artwork to differentiate and individualise each space.

The southern wing contains a client entertainment area, in addition to an auditorium that is glazed on two sides to allow for breathtaking views over Johannesburg. The auditorium posed a particular technical challenge in terms of its acoustics and unique positioning.

Peregrine and Citadel occupy Level 6 to 10, consisting of Peregrine Capital, Citadel Wealth Management, A2X and Peresec. The latter is a newly-listed company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange that takes up Level 9 and part of Level 10, which is a hi-tech trading space that includes a bar and entertainment area, with panoramic views over northern Sandton.

Each client has a distinctive look and feel

“A main feature of our design approach was to give each and every one of our clients a distinctive look and feel, especially as each one has their own corporate identity,” notes Schoombie. This was achieved by means of specific furnishings, colour palettes, fabrics and fixtures, while also accommodating the specific technical requirements of such financial services companies.

While the entire 1 Park Lane project was handed over in September last year, Schoombie has maintained close contact with her clients to gauge how the different companies have adapted to their new office environments.

“One of the biggest changes has been from a traditional closed-off office plan to a more open-plan set-up. We spent a lot of time with these clients to ensure that a level of privacy was maintained while still taking optimal advantage of the natural light and creating a more open collaborative space,” Schoombie concludes.

May 30, 2022 0 comments

Project Features

Construction kicks-off at the R500-million Boardwalk Mall

by Media Xpose May 30, 2022

GQEBERHA (PORT ELIZABETH), Eastern Cape – Flanagan & Gerard Group and Emfuleni Resorts, a subsidiary of Sun International (JSE: SUI), have officially commenced construction of Boardwalk Mall.

Two-thirds of the mall’s development site in the Boardwalk Precinct transferred to Flanagan & Gerard Group last month, with Emfuleni Resorts holding the remaining third. At the same time, the plans for Boardwalk Mall received all the necessary approvals, clearing the way for the construction of this eagerly awaited development.

Both Boardwalk Mall’s partners are leaders in their field, which has proven critical to this development finally becoming a reality. Both are committed to contracting employment and services from the local community wherever possible. Sun International’s Emfuleni Resorts has a long track record in Gqeberha and deep insight into this metropolitan city and its people. Flanagan & Gerard is a leader in South African commercial real estate development and investment with an impeccable record of retail property performance.

Together, the project partners are investing R500-million into this major development in Gqeberha. Building on the success and strong community roots of the landmark Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World, Boardwalk Mall is an extension and upgrade of the Boardwalk Precinct, which will more than double its retail space to 23,000sqm. It is the first phase of a 17-hectare redevelopment that is strategically, economically and socially significant for its city and region.

The commencement of construction was celebrated at an official event attended by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government MEC of Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Mlungisi Mvoko; Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Nqaba Bhanga; Chairperson of Emfuleni Resorts Bongi Siwisa; and Managing Director of Flanagan & Gerard Paul Gerard, along with several of the precinct’s longstanding and new retailers as well as other stakeholders.

MEC Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mlungisi Mvoko said Boardwalk Mall is a landmark development for Nelson Mandela Bay. “The development augurs well for our agenda of growing the provincial economy by creating jobs,” Mvoko said, congratulating Flanagan and Sun Boardwalk for providing a welcome boost for the Eastern Cape economy in general and the Nelson Mandela Bay economy in particular. Mvoko praised the fact that R290million of all goods and services would be procured locally, helping to revitalise and expand economic opportunities. “By providing people with a variety of hospitality experiences, Boardwalk Mall will also have a direct impact on tourism numbers.”

Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay, Nqaba Bhanga described the development as “forward looking” and well-located on the city’s beautiful beachfront. “We must design a vision of the city that is owned by everybody and Boardwalk Mall talks to this, helping to position ourselves as a sporting and entertainment destination,” said Bhanga.

Bongi Siwisa, Chairperson of Emfuleni Resorts, said, “23 years ago, I stood on this site and proudly turned the first sod of soil, breaking ground for the then upcoming Boardwalk development, which was going to add a new vista to Nelson Mandela Bay. And, today, I am proud to stand here again as part of the sod-turning ceremony for this R500-million extension and upgrade project, which will enable redevelopment of this precinct as well as provide much-needed employment and an economic revival in our Metro. Throughout this time, our vision has remained to provide a selection of offerings to both the communities of Nelson Mandela Bay and to those who visit our Metro, thus endorsing the need for tourism and an enhanced economy.”

Paul Gerard, MD of Flanagan & Gerard, said, “During this extraordinary time in history, it has become clear that people need convenient retail and enjoyable experiences in safe environments within their communities, close to where they live, work, commute and learn. One of the most inspiring aspects of Boardwalk Mall and the extended Boardwalk Precinct is that it will provide a genuinely exciting, engaging and immersive experience and an enjoyable meeting place where locals can also fulfil their daily retail needs.”

The Boardwalk Precinct enjoys a prime site on the city’s beautiful and popular hotel-lined beachfront. It is right at the pulse of its most sought-after commercial and social heart and surrounded by the energy and optimism of a host of educational institutions and upmarket neighbourhoods.

Besides providing much-needed convenient and curated shopping, Boardwalk Mall also integrates and optimises the city’s beautiful beachfront attractions to create an unmatched and unmissable leisure, entertainment, dining, hospitality, events, conferencing, relaxation and shopping experience for the entire family.

A unique marketplace of big and small brands hand-picked to be relevant and exciting for its shoppers, Boardwalk Mall will offer a refreshing array of retail with 80 stores and excellent access to national brands. Big names in retail include Checkers and Checkers Liquorshop, Pick n Pay and Pick n Pay Liquor, Woolworths, Clicks, Dis-Chem and NuMetro. In addition, the mall’s tenant mix includes, The Magic Company, Spur, Fishaways, Debonairs, Steers, Wimpy, Ackermans, Pick n Pay Clothing and the Crazy Store. The Capital Hotel Group lobby will enter from the mall. This will be complemented by all the appeal and excitement of the Boardwalk Precinct, including events at the spectacular new Sun Park Square.

Boardwalk Mall’s first phase is set to be completed and launched on 9 December 2021. The official opening, which marks the second phase’s completion, is scheduled for 22 September 2022.

May 30, 2022 0 comments

Project Features

AECOM wins big at SAPOA Awards 2021 for the conneXXion and Constantia Emporium

by Media Xpose May 30, 2022

QS, structural engineering services at the conneXXion and Constantia Emporium a testament to AECOM’s newly-launched Sustainable Legacies strategy

The conneXXion, the new corporate head office for Exxaro Resources in Centurion, was a major winner in the SAPOA Property Development Awards 2021 for Innovative Excellence, announced at the end of May. The project not only won in the categories of Corporate Office and Sustainability/Green, but also clinched the Overall project title.

Infrastructure consulting firm AECOM’s scope of work was the structural, civil, geotechnical and quantity surveying aspects of the project. The earthworks contract was completed by Stefanutti Stocks Geotechnical, while the raft and first suspended floors were cast by main contractor WBHO.

Another award-winning project that AECOM was involved with was the Constantia Emporium, which won in the Retail Development – Small Boutique Category. Here AECOM provided quantity surveying services for the project, developed by Shoprite Checkers Properties. Constantia Emporium is located in the upmarket suburb of Constantia in Cape Town, with a well-balanced tenant mix of 26 stores spread over two levels, anchored by Checkers, Clicks and Woolworths.

AECOM’s involvement with the conneXXion has already seen it win the AfriSam Innovation Award for Sustainable Construction at the Construction World Best Projects Awards 2019 and a Highly Commended Award in the Consulting Engineering Category.

The Sustainability/Green win is particularly significant, as it follows on AECOM’s recent launch of its Sustainable Legacies strategy for environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. The strategy integrates four key pillars that embed sustainable development and resilience across the company’s work, improve social outcomes for communities, achieve net-zero carbon emissions and enhance governance.

Sustainable buildings such as the conneXXion not only benefit the occupants, but also achieve a lower cost of occupancy for clients, while at the same time having a positive impact on the environment, stresses Kristina Moodley, Associate Quantity Surveyor, Cost Management, Buildings + Places at AECOM.

“The development manager on the project took a very personal approach to achieving Green Star accreditation and wanted the conneXXion to be a first of its kind. Developer Growthpoint has a strong focus on building sustainable green-rated buildings, with an emphasis on the health and well-being of its tenants,” notes Moodley.

The conneXXion is one of only a handful of buildings in South Africa to boast an As-Built 6 Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), the highest level of sustainability accreditation in the country. It is also the first building in South Africa to achieve Silver Level WELL certification for Core and Shell by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).

AECOM was actively involved in assisting the green consultant with its budget calculations on the different points strategies required to result in achieving 4, 5 and 6 Star Green Star and WELL ratings respectively. “We constantly manage, monitor and align the construction costs against the budget when implementing Green Star specific initiatives,” stresses Moodley.

It was also part of the Green Star submission process, providing QS reports that evaluated and quantified the data used by the GBCSA to ultimately assess the building’s compliance against Green Star point targets.

Completed in November 2019, AECOM collaborated closely with AMA Architects to optimise the final building design. This was due to challenging dolomitic ground conditions on-site, according to Kim Timm (Pr. Eng.), Executive – Structures, Buildings and Places.

“In terms of the architecture, we had to reshape the building design to account for the ground conditions. We ended up with about 16 different variations of the initial format of the building shape compared to the underlying ground conditions. The challenge was to mitigate the risk in the most cost-effective manner possible,” elaborates Timm.

May 30, 2022 0 comments