Gottlieb Warehouse
The Gottlieb offices and distribution centre entry illustrates the aesthetic use of structural steel in the development of industrial buildings adding a new touch to a new generation design.
The first impression when arriving at the premises of Gottlieb Group is that of a structural steel warehouse, situated high on the natural hills of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
The use of steel is eminent and displays the architect’s design approach and his love for exposed steelwork.
The building envelope encloses in essence the two functions of the business, i.e. the storage and distribution centre at the east end of the complex and the clothing design and office sections at the west end.
project team
Developer / Owner
Winsport Trading Enterprises (Pty) Ltd
Architect
Elphick Proome Architects
Structural Engineer
Young + Satharia
Quantity Surveyor
Aybob Ismail and Mohamedy
Project Manager
Arbuthnot Projects
Main Contractor
Stefanutti Stocks
Steelwork Contractor
Impact Engineering
Cellular beams
Macsteel Trading
Land Surveyor
LD Baker and Associates
Structural steel is used not only as the predominant structural element, but it is also featured as part of the building fabric.
Standard profiled hot rolled sections were used for the office block. Cellular beams are used in the main roof for rafters of the ‘warehouse’.
The roof structure comprised typically of primary lattice girders and truss (rafter) systems set about a central colonnade sphere.
In order to distinguish between the clothing design function of the business and the packaging function, the former has its own ‘hi tech’ entrance and reception located at the south and an enter-tainment deck at the north, all of which express the steel structure.
The ‘room with a view’ reception is a prime specimen of exposed steelwork complimented by coloured and clear glass. Use is also made of diag-
onally run panes. Another feature in the reception is the striking steel staircase, illustrating the architect’s appreciation for using the right mate- rial in the right place.
The Gottlieb complex is a leader in innovation in design for a new generation structural steel building. The end result is an aesthetical appealing building designed for its purpose whilst creating an environ ment where the workers are proud to work in.