OH3 City Centred

We cut a metaphorical cross section through the city starting underground at the Prestwich Memorial and ending up on the roof of the tallest building – BP Centre. One of the highlights was visiting no 9 Dorp Street – the premises of the Western Cape Provincial Government, which is truly a remarkable building. PJ Putting of Revel Fox and Partners explained how the building was very much inspired by the low energy use demands made during the 1970’s oil crisis…mmm deja vu, here??? Anyway Corb’s buildings at Chandigarh also made an impact as one can see from the formal resolution of the shading system on the facades. The Prestwich Memorial is, in my opinion, too quiet a building on such a significant site. The best part is the window treatment on the Strand Street façade which is clever and intriguing. There is still, however, an opportunity to play with the idea of display and memory.

9 Dorp Street - Revel Fox and Partners

Photo: Ches Besada



Prestwich Memorial, Lucien Le Grange,

Photo by: Grant Mclachlan, Matthew Schnetler