Waterfall City is a new city development which is conveniently located between Sandton and Pretoria with easy access - via Allandale Road - to the N1 highway. It is the largest urban concept development in South Africa and aims to be a truly integrated mixed-use development that focuses on best-practice Urban Design Principles to create a pleasant and sustainable live/work environment.

 

The project site is located at the main entrance and gateway to the broader Waterfall City development - directly in front of the recently completed Mall of Africa. It sits on the main pedestrian axis of the City that links the City entrance, mall and public park to the rest of the City. Topographically, it is also located at the high-point of the City and is clearly visible from several points along the N1 highway. 

 

Curvent International (PTY) Ltd was contracted for the facade installation. The following extraction out of the article in Architect and Builder explains the design behind these louvres:

 

"Due to weight limitations and the organic nature of the form, the facades are a unique combination of lightweight steel frame construction with expanded polystyrene (EPS) and composite aluminium cladding. This gave the architect the ability to curve the facades with excellent thermal insulation properties and an uncompromising 'liquid' finish. A combination of double-glazing and single-glazing with sun-screen louvres allowed the archi-tects to ensure optimal thermal performance in the building. At the base of the building the slick, liquid finishes of the facade are contrasted by more heavy and earthy materials of stone, timber and landscaped berms."

 

Curvent International (Pty) Ltd is a proudly South African company, show casing specialised solutions for smoke extraction, ventilation and solar shading applications such as these used for Gateway West.  Contact one of our specialists to help you with your project.