Fairbridge Mall

The Fairbridge Mall project called upon our talented Cape Town architects to revamp an aging retail centre into a mixed development destination.

The idea was to create an iconic building, using modern materials and progressive architectural design, but still managing to be understated and elegant, resulting in a fresh new shopping and working precinct, which would have a positive influence in revitalising the neighbourhood.

The design intent revolved around retaining and re-purposing as much of the existing structure as possible, to achieve the highest green star rating and then adding a new skin. Full height glazing panels puncture the skin allowing natural light into the open plan office spaces above and creates a visual connection between private and public spaces.

By pinching the facade on the ends, a natural point of entry is created into the retail component – one side with a glazed cantilevered box and the other by cutting into the building on plan. A light well is punched vertically into the core of the building to allow natural light into the mall interior over a bamboo forest and thereby creating a natural and comfortable shopping experience.