Construction World December 2018

Building Contractors

140 WEST STREET, SANDTON WBHO and Tiber Construction Joint Venture successfully constructed a new commercial office

Throughout the construction of the building, the project aimed to not only reduce the standard consumption of materials, but also to procure finishes and materials that considered the impact on natural resources and the quality of the internal user spaces. This was accomplished through the implementation of efficient construction management practices, specification of products that were low in embodied energy and had a low environmental impact, sourcing of materials that were in close proximity of the site, material reuse, and targeting a high reduction of construction waste. 

T he 27 000 m² of P-grade office space is housed in two linked towers constructed on a landscaped podium. The earthworks that started early 2015 was completed in August 2015 after the estimated 132 000 m 3 of soil and rock had been excavated and removed from site to allow for the seven parking basements below ground to be constructed. The construction of the project started in September 2015 and was handed over in August 2017. The construction phase of this development was challenging due to access constraints, minimal laydown area and its congested location between three surrounding developments. It was serviced by two cranes, with one only accessible to the street for offloading, delivery of materials and waste removal. This was overcome by strict and effective crane schedules, just in time deliveries, and pre-shift hoisting. The JV also made use of a boom placer which accounted for 80% of the pour footprint and ascended with the building to improve efficiency. This development offers 1 400 parking bays within its eight basements, of which seven are below ground. The project consists of a 10-storey North Tower and 14-storey South Tower which are connected by an eight storey high glass atrium. It accommodates an international law firm which occupies 50% of the building, along with capital investors and world leading technologists. The development optimises its internal and external environment for the tenant and visitor by contributing a new refreshing style to its surrounding urban environment. In addition, an integrated street-edge coffee shop has afforded bustling pedestrians the convenience of on-the-go coffee while commuting between the Gautrain Station and the hub of Sandton. With this in mind, the design aims to effectively amalgamate the street edge with the commercial zone by the use of sensual landscapes which flow from pavement to reception level. Its eight storey spider glazed atrium linking the north and south towers offers a remarkable point of arrival and seamlessly envelopes its seven linked floor spaces by means of sculptural twisting bridges and a tapering textural pod face. The lifestyle of occupants has been a major design driver. The enclosed atrium has been designed to emanate a street feel, with large trees, seating and varying floor surfaces. The building also offers exclusive landscaped roof terraces on the eight, ninth and 12 th floors, from which to take in the remarkable 180° views of Sandton and surround areas. The development proudly boasts a Green Star rating of Level 4 office V1. The building’s highly‐engineered, fully glazed facades allow for the maximum natural lighting conditions while restricting glare and heat transmission by the use of a favourable panel orientation. The project also incorporates sustainable design features and systems including the harvesting, treatment and reuse of rainwater and excess irrigation water and allocating parking bays closest to the cores to those who drive energy efficient cars. development for Zenprop Property Holdings. Located in the heart of Sandton, it is across from the iconic Michaelangelo Towers, Nelson Mandela Square and the Gautrain Station.

PROJECT INFORMATION

• Company entering: WBHO Construction • Client: Zenprop Property Holdings • Project value: R660-million • Start date: August 2015 • End date: August 2017 • Main Contractor: WBHO and Tiber Construction Joint Venture

• Principal Agent: Capex Projects • Architects: Paragon Architects

• Quantity Surveyors: Schoombie Hartmann • Structural Engineers: Sotiralis Consulting

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