THE SHED

SIBAYA SIGNATURE GATEHOUSE

Sibaya Signature Estate is a private estate gently perched on the slopes of Sibaya enjoying views over the Indian Ocean. The estate accommodates 45 sites ranging in sites sizes from 1000m2 to 2000m2 which are generally east and north east facing. The overall concept is to establish a place of the highest quality of landscape design with beautifully composed residences perched amongst a lush coastal planting and forest matrix. The overall vision established by IYER for Sibaya Signature Estate aimed at setting a new benchmark for an architecture of distinction where an architecture of refined elegance, made with the restraint of timelessness and simplicity which are nestled in a lush, natural coastal setting.

IYER are the Urban Designers and Architects for the overall development and as part of the implementation of the estate infrastructure, IYER were tasked with designing and implementing the entrance gatehouse building and services block. A key approach to these ‘first buildings’ of the estate was to use these buildings in a way that showcases the future architecture and materiality proposed for Signature.
 
The design of the gatehouse as a portal into the estate serves to frame the view and entrance. The entrance portal is made of Corten steel as a bold structure and frame that houses the management and security office. The strong horizontal bold lines of the entrance building is offset against a sculptural curved concrete ribbon wall which forms the façade of the services building. The bulk of the services building is embedded in landscape under a sloping green roof as a ‘non-building’, apart from the exposed curved off-shutter concrete.

NOORDGESIG LIBRARY

The Noordgesig Library emerged as a result of three scales of conceiving urban design and architecture. At the city scale, the City of Johannesburg’s ‘Corridors of Freedom’ is a spatial development programme aimed at ‘re-stitching’ the segmented city and creating people-centered, inclusive, and integrated urban environments. At the neighbourhood scale, the clustering of social facilities represents a key strategy in providing a basis for growth and intensification within the corridors. The redevelopment of the social cluster at Noordgesig in Soweto forms one part of this larger strategy, comprising a library, community hall, recreation center, park and public swimming pool. Lastly, at the architectural scale, the Noordgesig Library is located within this social cluster that is the heart of Noordgesig.

NANCEFIELD – KLIPSPRUIT SPORTS CENTRE

The Noordgesig Library emerged as a result of three scales of conceiving urban design and architecture. At the city scale, the City of Johannesburg’s ‘Corridors of Freedom’ is a spatial development programme aimed at ‘re-stitching’ the segmented city and creating people-centered, inclusive, and integrated urban environments. At the neighbourhood scale, the clustering of social facilities represents a key strategy in providing a basis for growth and intensification within the corridors. The redevelopment of the social cluster at Noordgesig in Soweto forms one part of this larger strategy, comprising a library, community hall, recreation center, park and public swimming pool. Lastly, at the architectural scale, the Noordgesig Library is located within this social cluster that is the heart of Noordgesig.

GO!DURBAN IRTPN

eThekwini’s Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) – currently under construction – is a flexible, high performance system that combines physical, operational and systems elements. Iyer was appointed to undertake the Phase 1 preliminary design stage for the stations, station precincts and park and ride facilities. Understanding the potential of public transport to empower communities, these have been conceived of as focal points for revitalisation of surrounding communities and the catalyst for future sustainable development. Iyer’s scope also included the infrastructure in the station precincts, such as improved lighting, signage, landscaping, street furniture and sidewalk and road finishes. This involved the inclusion of sustainable and universal access thinking in the concept for the facilities and environments.

BOX IN THE SKY

With Box in the Sky, Iyer undertook the design and construction management for a new extension to an existing residence in the form of a master bedroom, a new spa bathroom and office. The final design conceived of the master bedroom space as the eponymous “Box in the Sky,” elevating the residents in their own private sanctuary space while remaining inherently connected to the rest of the house.

LES ALLES HELVETIA

For this project, Iyer was tasked with conceptualising the Urban Design Framework for the development of a medium density residential precinct in the Moka district in Mauritius. The project was being undertaken by ENL properties, a Mauritian based property Development Company and aimed to establish a residential community supported by an appropriate public space system in a pedestrian-oriented environment. To date some 200 units have been built and are occupied.

GERMISTON URBAN RENEWAL

ROTUNDA LINEAR PARK

Turffontein, one of the oldest suburbs of Johannesburg, has declined steadily over the last few years but has been earmarked by the City of Joburg for regeneration.The redevelopment of the area forms part of the City of Joburg’s vision for the Corridors of Freedom’s transit-orientated developments that will see Johannesburg transcend apartheid-era town planning by bringing schools, services, work opportunities and other benefits closer to the people, especially those who live on the outskirts of the city. Rotunda Linear Park forms part of the Turffontein Residential Precinct earmarked for densification through the Corridors of Freedom initiative. Due to the planned densification of the area there was a need for more extensive passive & active open recreational space.
Public space plays a vital role in shaping communities and local stakeholders played a key part in the conceptualization of the park. The design brief resulted from extensive consultative engagements with the local & broader community affected by the development. Several committee meetings and workshops were held for the community to have a better understanding of the project and be given an opportunity to influence the design. Subsequently a concept was co-created for the design of a meandering green corridor with a rich variety of activities plugged into it.
The linear park transforms a wide, 1.2km stretch of underutilized road reserve along De Villiers Road. The park includes facilities such as outdoor gyms, play areas, and futsal court. The project further included public environment upgrades of adjacent streets. The sidewalks were upgraded, street lighting replaced, street furniture and artwork installed, and cycle lanes added to some sections.

SASA Boulevard

SASA Boulevard is the name of the street that traverses the Cornubia Mall and connects with the future Cornubia Town Centre. IYER was tasked with preparing the urban design for transforming the road into a street within the Mall, including hard landscaping. One of the interesting elements of the project is the urban sculpture. The sculpture is based on cut sugar cane stalks hence the angular tops and the slot of light runs vertically along the 3 sides of each column. There are 15 lights generated from the 5 columns. The columns are constructed of Corten steel, collectively to provide a landmark and bring some elevation to the relatively low-rise retail precinct. The over-scaled stalks of sugar cane are a reference to the key economic basis for the region’s heritage.

PIETERMARITZBURG URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT (PURP)

In this project, Iyer undertook the urban design for an urban renewal project targeting portions of Pietermaritzburg’s CBD. The aim was to improve the public space in the zone, enhancing the character and experience of this important city. The firm’s role involved the conceptualisation, detail design and construction management of the Chief Albert Luthuli Street and Langalibalele Street within the Msunduzi Municipality. Primary aspects of the design included the creation of a multifunctional street space, a renewed context for the City Hall and the introduction of bespoke lighting, seating, bins and bollards all designed by the firm. An iconic aspect of the finished project was the creation of a large-scale art installation in the form of five corten steel sculptures of figures that celebrate the transition and resilience of the city. When it was completed, the KZN branch of the South African Planning Institute (SAPI) conferred an award of Excellence to the firm for its work.

ALEXANDRA PARK

Alexandra Park is a significant public space for the city of Pietermaritzburg, and hosts a range of sporting and recreational activities. Iyer was appointed by the city to design an important link within the park, providing access to the historic Harry Qwala Stadium. The firm saw this as an opportunity to create a new promenade based on organic and sculptural forms, incorporating seating, an outdoor gym, feature lighting and soft landscaping to extend the qualities of the park into the new space.

FERRARI SHOWROOM

Iyer was appointed by Scuderia South Africa, the official Ferrari dealer in the country, to create a showroom for the brand in uMhlanga. Taking Ferarri’s international identity as a starting point, the brief included the expansion of the existing showroom and the creation of interior layouts, including establishing a new delivery bay and workshop. This project was a significant one for the firm, with Iyer designing and managing the entire construction process, including liaising with Italian brand design architects.