Irene Link
Building C
Building C
Building C will have its own strong identity and visual impact adjacent to Barloworld and Building B, which are both striking and individual in appearance.
Building A Barloworld: Aluminium louvres
Building B: Floating concrete boxes
Building C: Curved grey glass floating above landscaped podium
We carried several of the precinct design principles and materials through to Building C so that it has a dialogue with Barloworld and Building B.
Building C is located next to Building B, facing the N1 highway on a highly visible corner site of the Irene Precinct. As the gateway into the precinct, it boldly sets the tone for the precinct architecture and philosophy.
Building C takes the form of a fluid, modern organic grey glass building floating above a clear glazed ground floor podium. The northern N1 freeway façade is slick and streamlined. Impala road has two façades featuring a beautifully landscaped courtyard.
The building is a contrast of grey and clear glass. The clear ground floor glazing envelopes the entire building and wraps up dramatically into the four storey atrium. A raking glass façade and three storey marble wall provide a dramatic entrance to highway traffic, also creating multiple high visibility signage opportunities for tenants.
The building will appear to levitate above a landscaped podium level. The curved corners softening the edges and giving the building a rounded and endless feel. Large openings with louvres create a beautiful diffused light into the landscaped courtyards below. These roof openings also serve to shade the east and west façades from sun. A four storey volume atrium, set back from the main façade with a deep overhang will keep it shaded from the northern sun.
The stairs and lift will open up into the atrium internally, allowing all building users to engage with the atrium space. Roof terraces on level 4 will provide incredible views over Irene for tenants and space to breathe and congregate. Screening and architectural form is being used to create a seamless roof architecture, with interesting diffused light and freeway screening.
Building C has three access points from the supporting road network. The east entrance has full access via the Olievenhoutbosch traffic intersection and is further facilitated by a traffic circle close to the entertainment square. From the south a dedicated left in and left out from Olievenhoutbosch Road allows access to the central portion of the site. On the western boundary access is achieved via Alexandra Road that is supported by a traffic intersection from Jean Avenue.
The mixed-use nature of the Irene Link Precinct will be enhanced by user requirements: Business hours for office workers, weekly 24 hour cycle for hotel guests and weekend/afternoon peaks for the residential area.
With Botha, Alexandra and Jean Avenues and the N1 forming the borders of Irene Link, there is no better location for a lifestyle of true convenience within the desirable living and working space of an urban village atmosphere.
The Gautrain is close
Accessibility is guaranteed with the Gautrain in close proximity. The Gautrain bus route to and from the existing Gautrain station in Centurion runs conveniently past Irene Link in Jean Avenue.
The envisaged second phase development of new routes for the Gautrain includes a new rail station that will be built next to Irene Link, with additional bus routes servicing the whole Irene village area.
All this makes Irene Link Precinct one of the best connected new mixed-use precincts in Gauteng.
A connected precinct
Seamlessly integrating the vibrant pulse of urban living with the tranquil landscape of the Irene Village area, Irene Link Precinct is an oasis in the city bustle. This premium lifestyle development offers the unparalleled convenience of commercial, residential, retail and educational space, with a hotel and medical centre in one free flowing precinct, all with easy access to the N1 highway just around the corner.
Stylish offices, green recreational spaces, an international hotel, modern gym and a variety of world-class restaurants make this precinct the ultimate in luxury and convenience. Pedestrian comfort is part and parcel of the development, with walkability developed into all aspects of the precinct. Internet connectivity is naturally a given, with high speed fibre available throughout the area.
The trend for smaller tenanted spaces is on the increase and Building C caters perfectly for these new work environments. It is highly sub-divisible and efficient due to its floor plate and service core layout. Each floor plate can be divided into 5 tenants.
The building concept was to create a permeable glass envelope that rests on a naturally ventilated basement. This allows for seamless views of the high-energy highway and the southern adjoining Impala Precinct.
Large areas of double glazing with regular openings allows for natural ventilation of internal spaces enabling the building to have vast amounts of natural light and easy sub-divisibility.
Building Plinth: The basement allows for a ground floor relationship with the street, enabling pedestrians to engage visually with the building (no basements façades are higher than 1.5m along Impala road).
Landscaping: The podium will be beautifully landscaped to create multiple outdoor tenant spaces as well as access into the precinct via a landscaped ramp onto Impala road and the park. Extensive landscaping softens the buildings in the street scape.
Building C is designed to be energy efficient and utilises sustainable building and services technology achieving at least a 4-Star Green rating.
It takes all façade orientation into account, utilises passive shading, double glazed performance glass and through its form and orientation creates a comfortable working environment.
Green star: 4-Star
Artist Impressions – Subject to change