Construction World December 2023

PEAK STUDIOS – STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

computer labs, security systems), as well as the social environment. The development of a student accommodation building in the area feeds directly into the great need for these spaces serving UCT, CPUT and other private educational institutions in the area. Repurpose, densification and redevelopment of a previously single function and closed off site, contributes to the activation of the urban environment and contributes in a valuable way to the developing Salt River and Observatory neighbourhoods. Structurally, the building consists of: driven cast in-situ reinforced concrete piles with pile caps, high strength reinforced concrete columns, post tensioned concrete flat slabs, reinforced concrete shear walls and cores. The Western Cape Peninsula is regarded as a Moderate Seismic Zone and the building was therefore designed to adhere to the Seismic Requirements as set out in SANS 10160 Part 4. All internal demising walls and interior skin of cavity walls were constructed from cored 90 mm thick Maxi bricks produced by Claytile. This not only ensured optimised overall use of raw materials in the building, but also increased internal usable/lettable area. Post-tensioned flat slab construction simplifies formwork and finishing, but also to speed up construction and reduce

L ocated in Observatory, Cape Town, Peak Studios Student Accommodation houses 563 students in a new nine storey building. The development repurposes an existing heritage building to serve the surrounding UCT & CPUT campuses. Taking inspiration from the existing building facing Main Street, the new addition, even though much higher, interprets the geometry through a contemporary lens to create a unique addition to the area. The existing building houses building offices, communal areas, gym, laundry and study areas and ties into the new residential building seamlessly on ground floor. From the main circulation and gym area the space spills out onto an interior courtyard, extending the area for exercise and relaxation to the outside. Hugging this larger green area, the new building creates various safe, inspiring interior and exterior spaces for studying, gathering and living. accommodation in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town (PEAK Studios being the first in WC) - the spaces are designed to adhere to the overarching requirements and product. Each of the buildings is branded individually with finishes, colours and graphics reflecting the physical context and the brand identity, both in direct and more subtle ways. Peak Studios provide a student living experience designed fit for purpose to give users the benefit of physical infrastructure (power and water backup, As part of the Thrive Student Living group of buildings - a national portfolio of student

• Company entering: GASS Architecture Studios • Client: Growthpoint Student Accommodation Holdings • Project Manager: Atvantage Project Managers • Architect: GASS Architecture Studios • Quantity Surveyor: MMQSMace • Structural & Civil Engineer: AECOM • Engineers: Solution Station • Principal Contractor: ISIPANI Construction PROJECT INFORMATION Dedicated permeable paving areas are integrated into the hardscaping design to reduce stormwater surface run-off.  the use of materials. Use of post-tensioning could reduce slabs to 200 mm thickness – enabling optimal developed use of the allowable height on the property. Due to the layout and levels of the existing building an existing retaining wall along a sloping road, were supported with the use of soil nails during the construction process, until lateral support between the existing and the new structure was installed. A seamless flow of space between an existing heritage building and a new multistorey building posed structural challenges, which were executed with diligence to sequencing and integration.

85

22 nd Best Projects Awards 2023