Overview

Description: In 2014 APS were commissioned to design a new office and administration facility for Africa Steel, in Willowvale, Harare, Zimbabwe. This disused industrial site was recently purchased by Africa Steel as part of their expansion program, and comprised often industrial manufacturing facilities under approx. 13 200 sqm of warehouse, in conjunction with approx. 1 800 sqm of ground & first floor office facilities.

Challenge: Phase one of the project, was to refurbish and fit-out the reception, sales, marketing, operations, finance & management departments into new, custom designed offices that reflected the ambitions of the business. The brief dictated that both an open plan approach as well as adjacencies between departments had to be carefully considered in order to enhance productivity at a lower to middle management level. In addition the ground floor required public access for an orders, sales and payments facility.

Solution: The shell was totally gutted in preparation for new curtain walling, and glazed aluminium framed partitions throughout. New accessible ceilings allowed for the distribution of telecommunications, internet, electricity supply and air-conditioning throughout. Ablution facilities were completely overhauled and a feature staircase was re-designed as a focal point of the offices. A concept design for the reception and enquiry desks was sketched out and further developed by Design Up shopfitters.