Construction World March 2021

The hard and soft landscaping of the outdoor podium area was specifically designed to create a natural environment for the end user ensuring a harmonious blend of business, life and leisure. The Oxford Parks precinct is also designed to accommodate all parking in sub terranean basements, creating an exceptional public environment which is pedestrian friendly and offers a safe high street retail environment. Each building has its own shape and characteristics that add to the overall design feel of the precinct. These features include the patterned façade on the Arup building, stone cladding and curves on the Building 3 together with the louvered pergola on the 4th floor and the inclined shaped façade cladding and curtain walling on Building 2. Construction work of 6 Parks Boulevard (also known as the Arup building) started in February 2020. Initially designed as a three-storey structure with the ground floor dedicated to retail space, these plans were modified to the requirements of the tenants, Arup and Sony. This resulted in another slab being added to accommodate a private entertainment area, as well as recording studios on the fourth level. The structure on this rooftop level mimics the design shape of the building, but with a smaller footprint, thus occupying only about 50% of the available rooftop space, which allowed the creation of a roof- top entertainment area in the centre of the precinct. In addition to this amendment to the original plan, a double lift shaft arrangement was incorporated into the modified design to ensure that the added level will only be accessible to authorised visitors. Environmental Impact Consideration Being in the heart of a prestigious business and residential precinct, the Oxford Parks development has to be a low-impact development.

An external consultant was appointed to compile a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan. Environmental audits were carried out during the construction period and consistent compliance with the Environmental Management Plan was maintained. All precinct buildings are constructed to be compliant with Green Star design requirements. Building 1 in Phase 1 was Green Star registered and awarded a 5-Star Green Star rating. All specifications on the project are in line with Green Star requirements and the buildings in Phase 2 will also be Green Star registered to achieve 5-Star Green Star ratings. Waste management systems align to maximise waste recycling from waste generated on the project. State-of-the-art HVAC systems were installed in Building 2 and Building 5. The energy saving, efficiency and sustainability features included an air-cooled system to eliminate water usage. Other features which were specifically designed for environmental awareness included: • Primary variable flow pumping to reduce chilled water pumping energy • Distributed digital control allowing central time control, comfort monitoring and load control under standby conditions • Linear diffusion at areas of façade with high solar loads to isolate the solar loads before they become a radiant heat comfort issue Building 3 was fitted with a VRV system. This multi-split type air- conditioner uses variable refrigerant flow control to provide tenants with the ability to maintain individual zone control in each room and floor of the building. It must also be noted that designers endeavoured to use as much locally available materials for the construction of the buildings, also benefitting the local communities and South African economy as a whole.

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD MARCH 2021