SPECIAL REPORT: GREENSTONE SHOPPING MALL

UNUSUAL AND DEFINING DESIGN ELEMENTS

By Lois Aitchison

Greenstone Mall, which opened in 20��0��7, was designed by architects

Bentel Associates International whose extensive experience in

commercial and retail design is evident in the design of this

award-winning mall. Owned by the Sasol Pension Fund, the mall

is situated on a 21-hectare site in the southwestern corner of the

420��0��-hectare Greenstone Hill development on the site of the

former AECI Modderfontein chemical factory.

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Greenstone Hill, a Heartland Project, is one of the

largest mixed-use ventures in South Africa where

commercial and residential zones surround the retail

zone. Extensive demographic studies confirmed the

need for this aesthetically pleasing and well-designed

mall, which is making a significant contribution to the

quality of life in the area.

Ideally positioned with high visibility on the elevated

crest west of the Edenvale CBD and serviced by a

strong existing road infrastructure with easy access

to the N1, the Mall has become a hub of retail and

recreational activity. It caters to the rising population

densities and increasing spending power in the Hill’s

primary catchment area that includes the upmarket

Modderfontein residential area, Edenvale, Linksfield,

Linbro Park and Lombardy East.

DIVERSE SELECTION OF TENANTS

The style of the 75 0��0��0��m2 Mall is contemporary, with

sophisticated finishes and standards. It has been de-

signed to be a state-of-the-art facility providing the

utmost shopper comfort levels and convenience.

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A ring road system with a large undercover component

reduces walking distances to the centre, and ensures

that the 4 50��0�� parking bays are, on average, no more

than 80��m from any of the six entrances.

A diverse range of 150�� tenants which includes a Pick

‘n Pay Hypermarket as the the anchor (120��0��0��m2),

Woolworths, Game, Clicks, the Foschini Group, Truworths,

Mr Price Sports (a 20��33m2) and Dischem (at 250��0��m2

one of the largest in the country), fifty line shops, four

major banks, an eight cinema Ster Kinekor complex, a

bowling centre, restaurants, fast food outlets and a

wide range of services ensure that Greenstone is an

exceptionally convenient mall catering to a wide range

of shopping, service and entertainment requirements.

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Greenstone

MONDAY - THURSDAY: 9am - 6pm • FRIDAY: 9am - 7pm SATURDAY: 8am - 5pm • SUNDAY/ PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 9am - 4pm

Proud to be a part of Greenstone Shopping Centre!

Greenstone Shopping Centre: Cnr Modderfontein and Van Riebeeck Ave. Modderfontein, Edenvale

1156345

www.gautengpiling.co.za

A SENSE OF DRAMA

There are two unusual and defining aspects of the

structure. The design of a retail environment involves

many interrelated features that improve the quality

and efficiency of lighting, heating and cooling systems.

The envelope or the structure of the building also forms

part of these systems. The architects creatively utilised

the structure to create world-class interior spaces at

very little extra cost.

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The two-level configuration of the Mall has dramatic,

well-lit internal volumes. A design challenge, particularly

in the retail environment, is balancing and controlling

the light levels from various sources. To create the

most effective lighting levels the architects incorpo-

rated clerestory lighting and the exposure of certain

light enhancing elements of the structure. Light is ex-

pressed in a very contemporary manner and the de-

sign allowed for indirect light that cuts down on the

glare, minimises heat and balances internal artificial

illumination.

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THYSSEN HP MISSING

UNITED BY INNOVATIONDIVERSIFIED BY EXPERTISE

WSP Group Africa+27 11 300 6000www.wspgroup.co.zawww.wspgroup.com

UNITEDBY OURDIFFERENCE

WSP Group plc is a global design, engineering and management consultancy, specialising in projects for the property, transport, industrial and environmental sectors. We work with clients in 35 countries to create built and natural environments for a sustainable future.

With WSP’s global reach and shared experience, we take pride in the success of our local relationships. Working with our clients, we create built and natural environments for the future, striving to be the outstanding supplier of specialist and integrated services.

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The centre features spectacular roof lights set in a com-

bination of exposed structural steel beams, timber struts

and glazing. A variety of other architectural elements,

such as the beams that support the walkways in the gar-

den court, are designed to complement these elements.

A second unusual aspect of the design is the combina-

tion of indoor and outdoor components. An outside land-

scaped green zone links horizontally with a centrally

enclosed zone containing the entertainment centre, the

promotions court and restaurants. The two components

are separated by an impressive glass wall containing

huge rotating doors that open and allow the two spaces

to become one. The entire central court, the major feature

of the mall, was extensively modelled in 3D from an

elliptical prism.

In 20��0��8, Bentel Associates International received a

Southern Africa Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC)

award for the Greenstone Mall and the extensive and

creative use of steel, the quality of design and finish,

the facilities, the environmentally sustainable design

and the overall impact of the building. <

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