Chris Hani Crossing shopping centre

SPECIAL REPORT CHRIS HANI CROSSING

2>

3>

CHRIS HANI CROSSING: A MEMORIAL THROUGH ARCHITECTURE

By Stacey Rowan

Chris Hani (1942 – 1993), leader of the South African Communist Party and chief of staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the ANC, fought for equal rights for all. It is through the Chris Hani Crossing shopping centre, that we can recognise his meritorious service. In this architectural piece, his memorial is celebrated.

4>

Vibrant colours of orange, yellow and red are used as focal points at the main entrances.

The mall serving the vast community in Vosloorus, Katlegong, Spruitview & Thokoza.

5>

Designed by Ai Design Group for developer, Mc-

the market,” says Johann le Roux, director & project

Cormick Property Development cc, Chris Hani Cross-

architect, Ai Design Group.

ing is a regional shopping centre in Vosloorus – a township situated near Boksburg just east of

Not only was the intention to cater for the local

Katlehong on the East Rand. Located at the inter-

needs, but the Chris Hani Crossing project was also

section of two major feeder roads from the N3 High-

about helping the community itself, creating com-

way into Vosloorus, namely Brickfield & Bierman

munity sustainability. The construction of the shop-

roads, the site is conveniently located at the main

ping centre created the opportunity to use local

east–west arterial into Tokoza and is centred perfect-

labour. We stimulated the whole community before

ly within its market to provide excellent proximity

and after construction. The creation of the develop-

to the maximum number of shoppers. High visibility

ment has also caused a ripple effect through the

and upgraded road accesses into the development

town. With the new mall this has increased property

ensure high capture rates for passing traffic, adding

value for houses in the area,” says Joe Malan, man-

to the site suitability.

aging director & project architect, Ai Design Group.

The town has come to Vosloorus

Building a place for the community

Chris Hani Crossing, the largest township mall in the

“We investigated the site, looked at the limitations

entire Ekurhuleni area, is serving the vast commu-

and what the requirements were,” says Joe. Joe

nity in Vosloorus, Katlegong, Spruitview & Thokoza

continues: ”The building had to adapt to the site in

and has changed the shopping patterns of the people

terms of the shape of the site and the tenant re-

in these communities, who now no longer have to

quirements.“

travel to town to do their shopping.

The design is that of a contemporary, U-shaped, interThis 40 000 square meter (GLA) up-market shop-

nal mall designed around four national anchors and

ping mall consists of national shops and a regional

a hardware anchor with ancillary services facing the

taxi rank, to make it more accessible for the people.

parking area. Easy access into the centre is created with three main entrances, allowing for good circu-

“This shopping centre was designed as an upper-

lation and movement flow. A contemporary food

class development that broke away from the nor-

court, complete with an exhibition area, provides an

mal type of township mall. The stores cater for the

inviting entrance to the central atrium.

local needs of the community. We had to cater for

6>

Vibrant colours of orange, yellow and red are used as focal points at the main entrances.

Considered to be a special design element, these colours are echoed throughout the mall in the form of mosaic tiles, with each area of tile patterns echoing and accenting a particular entrance colour. “These help with orientation throughout the mall,” says Johann. He continues: “With these colours, a modern feel to the centre is created.”

The rich colours, combined with the rustic material used within the centre, create an earthy and natural tone to the interior of the mall,” says Joe. He adds: “We used materials, like natural stone cladding on the colomns, which are long lasting and are low maintenance and environmentally friendly. “We used quality products and high quality finishes, as far as possible, in order to ensure the sustainability of the project for the future maintenance free,” says Joe. “Free floating Canopies on the roof towers were used, making the space within the building feel light and airy. The walkway canopies are designed to be both aesthetical and practical to complement the overall mall TOP: Free floating canopies on the roof towers were used.

CENTRE: The main entrance into the mall.

BOTTOM: The main three colours are echoed throughout the mall in the form of mosaic tiles, with each area of tile patterns echoing and accenting a particular entrance colour.

8>

With a plethora of shops available in the mall, shoppers have a wide range of shops to choose from.

design,” says Joe. The recessed bulk heads with up

and facilities. “About 100 taxis can fit in the taxi

lighters together with the skylights brings a lot of

rank,” says Johann.

natural and artificial light into the mall areas. The mall was designed to be power efficient. “With the ceiling being recessed, this aides in creating good

A plethora of shops

air flow throughout the centre, decreasing the usage of an airconditioning. With a large amount of

With a range of four national anchors, including

natural light, combined with power-efficient light-

Pick n Pay, Edgars, Shoprite and Game, and top na-

ing installed within the building, the centre con-

tional brands available in the mall, shoppers have

sumption of electrical lighting is low adds Johann.

a wide range of shops to choose from. With shops like Food Lovers Market and Roots Butchery, and

Adequate parking is provided which include a ded-

clothing stores like Jet, Foschini, Legit, Truworths,

icated taxi rank. “The taxi rank is built next to the

Identity, PEP and Ackermans – shoppers will have

parking lot and has fast food freestanders, to allow

their food and fashion needs met. Banks including

the community to have easy access to the centre

Standard Bank, FNB, ABSA and Nedbank, are located

9>

at the entrances of the mall for easy access. Fast

With regards to the positioning of the shop fronts,

food tenants like Macdonald’s drive through, King

Johann explains: “The shop fronts in the mall are not

Pie, Chicken Licken, KFC drive through, Steers and

positioned in a straight line, they are staggered,

Debonairs, among others, are available for hungry

creating a nice and pleasant journey through the

shoppers. Other shops including Morkels, Beares,

centre,” says Joe.

Home Sweet Home, Clicks, Madni Cell & Sound, Vodacom, Exclusive Hair & Beauty, amongst others,

“We have brought a shopping centre to Vosloorus

are also provided.

that the people can be proud of. It compliments the community and contributes to the upliftment of the

The good tenant mix allows for an excellent bal-

whole Vosloorus and surrounding areas. It is the

ance between essential retail and services that

talk of the town. The community loves it and enjoy

form the basis of a successful centre for a commu-

shopping there,” concludes Joe. <

nity that now does not have to travel long distances to fulfill the most basic of shopping needs.

Proud to be associated with Chris Hani Crossing Shopping Centre

For

the Ultimate

in Architecture

Tel: 086 1111 829 , Fax: 086 628 7198 , e-mail: info@aidesign.co.za

10 >