SPECIAL REPORTHURLINGHAM RETAIL COMPLEX AND SUPERMARKET

HURLINGHAM RETAIL COMPLEX AND SUPERMARKET:

Epitomising new ‘green’ design trendsBy Stacey Rowan & Estelle van Staden

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Designed by Bentel Associates International (BAI),

the new Pick n Pay supermarket, completed in 2010,

in Hurlingham, Sandton, is the third Pick n Pay store

to incorporate a significant number of sustainable

elements.

Bentel Associates International has used their con-

siderable commercial design expertise to implement

innovative architectural designs and store planning

for Pick n Pay for over 39 years. The long collaboration

and synergy between the Pick n Pay group and

Bentel Associates International are evident in the

many Pick n Pay anchor stores around the country and

is once again evident in the newly opened Hurling-

ham store.

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The development at the intersection of William

Nicol and Republic Road consists of a multi-level

complex with a receiving basement, a level for staff

facilities, trading and mezzanine levels and a 300-

bay basement parking area. The complex includes

the 5,600m2 Pick n Pay supermarket, adjoining

750m2 of line shops, a Pick n Pay liquor store and a

Pick n Pay Cooking School. Construction of the R160-

million complex started in August 2009.

In terms of the design brief and recognising that the

higher costs of ‘greening’ a building are outweighed

by the medium to long-term savings that come with

energy efficiency, BAI incorporated several green

elements into the supermarket and overall complex

design by utilising appropriate ‘green’ design ele-

ments, materials and systems. In particular, they in-

corporated viable initiatives that now also enhance

the overall aesthetics of the building while signifi-

cantly reducing its carbon footprint.

BAI point out that a multi-disciplinary team designed

and refined the design available technology as the

project progressed, focusing on issues such as pay-

back, ease of maintenance and product availability,

amongst others. BAI said that the design is not the

conventional inverted type of architecture normally

TOP: Contemporary full height glass facades allows

for considerable daylight harvesting.

LEFT: Appropriate ‘green’ materials were used for the

signage outside the supermarket.

RIGHT: An external view of one of the entrances.

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used for retail complexes. The inclusion of contem-

porary full height glass façades, together with nu-

merous skylights in the roof-scape and a dimma-

ble light system, allows for considerable daylight

harvesting and adds to the natural ambience of

the interior of the complex. The large façades also

allow exposure to the interior from the main inter-

section and the entrance.

A ‘green’ supermarket

The move towards more natural design and ambi-

ence, combined with the need for energy efficiency

and sustainability, are at the forefront of current

global store design trends. Air conditioning and

refrigeration form an integral part of equipping a

TOP: The complex includes the 5,600m2 Pick ‘n Pay

supermarket, adjoining 750m2 of line shops, a Pick ‘n

Pay liquor store and a Pick ‘n Pay Cooking School.

ABOVE: Natural materials, like stone, were used in the

parking area.

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A spacious, open feel is created

within the supermarket.

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shopping centre and supermarket. Improving energy

efficiency is a key challenge for food retailers whose

priorities include keeping perishables chilled cor-

rectly, maintaining the cold chain and keeping cus-

tomers comfortable in buildings with large front

doors that are constantly opening and closing. Typi-

cally, refrigeration utilises a significant portion of

power in a supermarket and usually accounts for

more than half the electricity consumed followed

by lighting and HVAC systems. Thus, natural refrig-

erants were used.

RIGHT: ‘Green’ materials were used for internal

signage, with the green colour on the boards

symbolising the ‘going green’ movement

BOTTOM: Being environmentally friendly, re-usable

bags made of ‘green’ materials can be used by

shoppers.

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In addition a rainwater harvesting system has been

installed and is used as irrigation to the largely in-

digenous landscaping and back up to the air condi-

tioning system. Careful consideration was given to

restore and enhance the substantial reserve between

the building and the Braamfontein Spruit which forms

part of the surrounding urban greenbelt.

Having been nominated in 2009 as the company that

most actively promotes sustainable living, Pick n Pay

are committed to ensuring that their performance

continues to meet and exceed the expectations of

their stakeholders. The company continues to demon-

strate its environmentally friendly consciousness

in this new Hurlingham store.

Pick n Pay’s criteria for the new store and complex

was that the design and technology had to be com-

mercially viable with a realistic return on investment.

Thus, each aspect from air conditioning to refrigera-

tion, water use, energy use and use of paints and

lighting, were carefully and expertly considered.

The new store uses almost 40 percent less energy

than a comparably sized store of conventional design

as a result of high performance refrigeration, light-

ing and HVAC systems. The store also uses renew-

able energy sources to help light, warm and cool

the site.

Sufficient parking is provided for outside the supermarket.

Ablandwww.abland.co.za

(011) 510 9999

www.formacon.co.za

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High ceilings within the supermarket create a light and airy feel interior.

Wide internal passages allow for good movement flow within the supermarket.

The large facades also allow

exposure to the interior from the

main intersection and the entrance.

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Pick n Pay installed 100 kilowatts of photovoltaic

capacity that generates between 8–20% of the store’s

power when in operation. This system reduces energy

consumption by at least 30 per cent compared to a

similar sized store using synthetic refrigerants. The

refrigeration plant also incorporates a heat recovery

system, which is used to provide the entire store’s

hot water requirements.

The integrated energy saving system also manages

the store lighting, bakery equipment and staff facili-

ties. A single 1 600 litre hot water tank has also been

provided for the hot water reclaim system supplying

domestic hot water to virtually the entire building.

In addition, the store makes use of rainwater harvest-

ing to supplement the water supply for the single

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LEFT: Wooden

‘green’ window

coverings were used

on the external

façade.

RIGHT: External

columns are cladded

with natural stone

materials.

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Water features and earthy

materials, like pebbles, were used in

the parking area to create a ‘natural’

feel to external environment.

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A variety of plants can

be seen in the parking

area, creating a natural

and earthy feel to the

external environment.

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multi-circuited evaporative condenser, as well as

landscaping around the centre. No VOC (volatile

organic compound) paints were used and solar pan-

els are used to power external signage at night.

Architectural innovation and a sound reputation

for high standards of commercial design and planning

are the principles that Bentel Associates International

has continued to demonstrate since its inception

1960, and the new Pick n Pay is no exception to this.

The multi-award winning firm continues to success-

fully create aesthetically significant buildings of ex-

cellence by utilising an integrated and multi-disci-

plinary approach to design.

The Hurlingham retail complex and supermarket not

only ranks top in architectural design, but it also con-

tributes to the ‘green’ movement whilst providing

a convenient shopping experience for its shoppers. <