I managed to stop just at the right place in the traffic this afternoon to take this shot :).
I've heard this building being called a pirate ship, something from the Transformers, and a monstrosity, amongst other names... but it is in fact the new head office for FNB Home Loans and Wesbank which is being built in Fairlands.
I can't begin to describe how HUGE this building is. It sticks out like a sore thumb in the residential area it's built in, plus the colours are damn ugly to make it worse! You can see the stripey effect on the left of the photo... and to make it worse, on the other side of the building the multi-colour stripes are horizontal.
However, credit must be given to them for building what is said to be a very environmentally friendly building. It uses storm water and condensation from the air conditioners for irrigation. The power supply is automated and senses when people have left a room. And amongst other things, it is also partly solar powered and there are sun screens along the sides of the building (which you can just see in the photo - they look like gills) to minimise glare and heat gain in the building.
The proof is in the pudding however, and with the power shortages currently being experienced in the country, it will be interesting what kind of pull of power this building will have in the area once it's finally finished.
6 comments:
Awesome shot Jeanette - I like the way the light is reflecting off the right hand side.
It certainly is HUGE and well done to them on building an environmentally friendly building, let's hope its one of many to come?
Damn ugly building!
but cool pic :)
I didn't realise it was an environmentally friendly building, guess we'll have to wait and see.
Lovely shot of it!
Interesting architecture. It doesn't really even look like it should stand up.
~Oswegan
i like this post, so interesting and I am very into the whole eco-friendly building thing. I must confess I quite like it!
THIS post reflects the ethnicity and is in line with the cultural context, represents the diversity of races and a true refelection of contemporary african architecture. check out the circulay, curving forms, the colours= awesome piece. for its size, a masterpiece! good work jeanie
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