Lighting in Design Q4 2018

Light touch required for unique A restrained lighting design was called for at the AHRLAC Manufacturing Facility, which is located at a functioning airport.

ing of the aircraft, the process of the design and the production lines. Accommodation for auxiliary services is included and administrative spaces for staff and visitors exude contemporary comfort. The machining and assembly facilities are posi- tioned alongside one another and provide the oppor- tunity for future expansion of both themanufacturing and assembly lines without interruption to existing activities.The factory envelope components feature translucent louvered clerestories which allow for natural light and ventilation to reduce the total cost of energy usage in the energy intensive production line. Mezzanine offices for the technical team overlook production facilities to ensure that specialist techni- cal staff members are in the immediate vicinity of production and assembly. The administration build- ing was orientated in a northerly direction to allow natural light into the offices and views to the aircraft runway and visitor’s reception area. A private lounge is also located in the administration building, which serves as a waiting area for private flight charters with direct access to the apron and a visual link. An intricate system of construction and ma- terials ensures an advanced manufacturing facility, which comprises highly secure storage areas, specialised machining/manufacturing facilities and aircraft assembly lines, fully equipped spray booth facility, administration offices, recreation facilities, aircraft hangars, exhibition spaces and aircraft taxi- ways. The building envelope consists of structural

T he AHRLACManufacturing Facility is a special- ised and unique manufacturing development. The client, Aerospace Development Corpora- tion, in collaboration with the Paramount Group, is responsible for the design, production and support of the versatile multi-purpose AHRLAC aircraft. The brief and scope to architects, Riekert & Osman Studios, was to design a state-of-the-art 10 000 m 2 industrial manufacturing facility whilst celebrating its African heritage in a contemporary manner. The building had to be built within a tight construction timeframe, not be costly in terms of long-term maintenance, and a modular design was favoured by the client so it can be effort- lessly duplicated elsewhere once the company expands abroad. The development, in the northern region of Pretoria, harnesses the accessibility and additional security features provided by the Wonderboom Airport with its superb access to national road networks, import and export opportunities, and the runway and air space. The programming and accommodation of an air- craft manufacturing plant required a full understand-

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LiD Q4 - 2018