ARCHITECTS
CONRADIE PARK
T o create cohesion and consistency, while remaining cognisant of the financial prudence needed around the social housing elements of the greater scheme, the design team agreed that there should be no distinguishable architectural differences between tenure types for the new neighbourhood at Conradie Park. Predominant use of clay brickwork was used throughout in the buildings and public realm to bring consistency. Brick features or ‘rustications’ around windows and the ground plane interface bring expression and create dynamism around the facade, and a play on light and shadow. The choice to use brick (as opposed to plaster for example) was made for its robustness, sustainability and aesthetic appeal, as well as for its durability, and low-maintenance and hardwearing qualities. The integrated mixed-tenure neighbourhood proposed by the public/private partnership project that is Conradie Park creates an environment designed for all incomes and age groups and life stages, while ensuring safety, innovative and affordable education, and job opportunities both onsite and within the nearby areas and close to the Cape Town CBD. Built into the project’s very design is accessibility to good-quality housing across the income spectrum to foster a blended community. • Conradie Park, spread across 22-hectares, is envisaged as a self-sustaining community with all the facilities and amenities a good neighbourhood needs; from a high-quality public realm, to security, educational institutions, medical care, retail and office space, and a linear
PROJECT INFORMATION
• Company entering: dhk Archictects • Client: Concor • Start date: 2019 • End date: Approximately 2027
• Main Contractor: Concor • Architect: dhk Archictects
• Principal Agent: Igual Project Managers • Project Manager: Igual Project Managers • Quantity Surveyors: MLC Quantity Surveyors
park with hundreds of trees. • The full spectrum of the residential market has been considered, from multiple property owners (buy to let), to first-time buyers and those residents who qualify for subsidised affordable sale or social rental housing. • The integration of residential tenures (social, transitional and market) has been designed to be non-distinguishable. • The scheme’s high-quality public realm design sets it apart. • The integrated social and market housing on one site is supported by a school, a park and a convenient neighbourhood retail centre. • The organising street grid is rotated 45 degrees off north orientation – so that the courtyard housing blocks all have optimal orientation, either northwest or northeast.
82 21 st Best Project Awards 2022
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