In updating and converting a historical building in Cape Town’s lively Kloof Street, multidisciplinary design studio dhk Architects sought to intentionally contrast the existing heritage with a contemporary addition. 

Built in the 1920s, 32 on Kloof serves as the frontage and catalyst project for Longkloof: a revitalised precinct developed by Growthpoint Properties and designed by dhk. A primarily landlocked site bordered by Kloof Street and featuring an iconic collection of historic red and white masonry buildings, the R550 million investment will result in new commercial and retail spaces, a 150-room Canopy by Hilton hotel, and secure pedestrian routes linking busy Kloof Street to the CBD.

Several buildings were erected in phases between 1900 and 1922 to form a campus for the United Tobacco Companies (UTC) Limited. Comprising a warehouse, factory and staff facilities, these premises have been recognised by the Western Cape as heritage buildings to be protected and preserved.

Taking the historical value and heritage constraints into account, the brief to dhk was to maximise the available real estate, establish two more floors of rentable space, and reinvent the windowless basement. The response was an “honest dialogue between heritage and contemporary elements,” according to dhk;  a minimalist approach that references rather than replicates.

The result is a deliberate architectural hybrid “that politely enhances the building’s street presence”. Aluminium-clad fins, for example, have been used to articulate the façade while contrasting the historic building’s order and rhythm and simultaneously stitching new and old together. The red-tiled roof, added in the ’90s, was removed to allow for a two-storey orthogonal addition: A glazed façade that makes the distinction between the levels clear and provides magnificent views of Table Mountain and the city.

The building is occupied by Workshop17, a co-working space made up of 30 private offices, nine meeting rooms, three boardrooms, a seminar room, event space and bar, and six lounge-libraries. A café completes the offering, located in the new sunken courtyard which was designed to align with the basement.

“32 on Kloof respectfully enhances the streetscape of Kloof Street,” says Pierre Swanepoel, a partner at dhk and lead architect on the project. “[It] creates frontage for the Longkloof precinct behind it, and serves to protect, preserve and celebrate the heritage of the building. Marrying historical and contemporary influences, the building successfully pays homage to our past while looking to the future.”

Follow @dhkarchitects on Instagram to spot other city landmarks designed by the studio and stay up to date with the latest projects. 

The post 32 on Kloof appeared first on Visi.

Designed by local architecture firm dhk, Cape Town’s CBD will receive a striking glass multi-use building in 2021, modelled after the Rubik’s Cube.

Located on the corner of Riebeek and Loop Street, The Rubik will house both luxury residential and commercial properties. Property developer Abland is behind the development, in conjunction with Giflo and Nedbank.

The apartments, offices and penthouses within The Rubik will all feature floor-to-ceiling windows, state-of-the-art technology, a 24-hour concierge, minimalist design and high-end fixtures and finishes. The building will have a rooftop pool and sun deck with an entertainment area and restaurant.

“The beautiful and modern The Rubik has a distinctly international feel that is in tune with global trends and influences,” explains Rob Stefanutto, MD of Dogon Group Developments, the firm marketing the development. “This exciting building, which will stand as a design beacon in Cape Town’s CBD, allows buyers to live and work in a distinctive space within the bustling centre of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Loop Street is vibrant and cosmopolitan, known for its nightlife, historic buildings, art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, bars and cafés.”

Work will begin in June 2019 and apartments start from R2,4 million. For more information, visit therubik.co.za.

The post New Cape Town Development: The Rubik appeared first on Visi.

Local architecture firm dhk has released its designs for a new residential development, consisting of elliptical towers of varying heights, to be built in Waterfall City, Gauteng.

This high-rise luxury apartment development, named Ellipse Waterfall, spans over 45 000 square-metres and is made up of more than 590 apartments and top-end amenities.

Clients Attacq and Tricolt gave dhk the brief to create a unique residential space comprised of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouse suites.

dhk took a different approach to the conventional living space when creating the Ellipse. A fresh take on the regular rectangle apartment block makes room for panoramic views.

The four towers – Newton, Kepler, Da Vinci and Galileo – each sit on an elevated podium, allowing for a raised ground floor with a parking garage, a multi-concept lifestyle destination, swimming pools and parks.

Ellipse Waterfall also boasts chic contemporary interiors that put the user first, which were designed by dhk’s sister company dhk thinkspace.

“Our intention was to create spaces for dialogue and community involvement,” says Aram Lello, associate director at dhk and lead architect on the project. “We critically analysed the requirements of residents to design spaces responding to their needs – we wanted to create homes and a rich sense of community. The buildings embrace diversity through their unique design and the provision of great amenities.”

For more information, visit dhk.co.za.

The post New Gauteng Development: Ellipse Waterfall By dhk appeared first on Visi.

It’s not every day that the city’s hottest architectural firms throw open their doors show and personally share their practices’ inside workings. In line with Open Design’s theme, “Design is for Sharing”, Architecture Open Studio will bare all: right from where architects do their thinking, all the way into their project-making spaces – a rare opportunity for the public, industry professionals and students to personally meet with these masterminds. 

Under the auspices of the Cape Institute for Architecture, on Tuesday 27 August Eco Design Architects and Consultants, Gabriel Fagan Architects and Wolff Architects will be open from 4pm to 6pm. On Thursday 29 August from 4pm to 6pm, dhk architects, Van Der Merwe Miszewski Architects, Metropolis Design, Peerutin Architects, Greg Wright Architects and MLB Architects, and Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects will be open. 

For program updates visit opendesignct.com/event-category/open-studio

Browse VISI’s guide to Open Design CT or follow Malibongwe Tyilo’s guided tour.

The post CT architects show and share appeared first on Visi.