Solutions
Solutions
Solutions
Architecture
Architecture
Our architectural solutions are rooted in the particularities of place. Besides picking up on cultural or regional references, our products are appropriate in terms of scale, urban form, urban edge, climatic envelope, and as far as possible, locally sourced materials and skills.
We believe that being in the South African context provides design cues that make our response to the environment unique.
APPROACH
Over the years, NewURBAN has become known for an approach rooted in sustainable thinking. We also believe that
architecture should respond to the particular place and context of its setting; enhance a site or neighborhood; and be
environmentally responsive. Our architecture evolves as a reaction to both natural and urban landscapes, local contexts,
in-depth research, pragmatism, vernacular form, climatic devices, poetic design and modern reminiscence. We do not
believe in styles or trends, but in a contemporary architecture that remains relevant.
PROCESS
Our process starts with the context - whether urban or in the natural landscape. We pick up cues from our surroundings and think beyond the footprint of the ultimate building, to the contribution it will be making to the urban or natural landscape.
Thorough context analysis, relevant research and an in-depth needs assessment result in an interactive design process and ultimately solutions with integrity.
Starting the design process with hand-sketches, a series of block models and digital models, we question our solutions to ensure an optimized environmental envelope while also testing basic and enduring design principles of proportion, scale, balance, rhythm, light, texture and hierarchy. While space planning is paramount to the success of any project, we also consider flexibility and a robust envelope to provide solutions that will be relevant over time.
Our engagement with clients and our approach has served a diverse group of clients - ranging from high-profile companies and higher education institutions to city planning agencies and private organizations.
URBAN DESIGN
URBAN DESIGN
Through urban design, NEWURBAN creates a connection between architecture and city planning. We design the relationship and interaction between peoples' needs, building groups, infrastructure and landscape by holistically creating a human, functional, sustainable and cost-effective living environment.
PROCESS
Our solutions are ultimately based on in-depth contextual analysis, that unpacks issues such as circulation, movement, land
use, place making elements, urban form, landscaping, public amenities and infrastructure. We also believe in researching
each project to ensure that ideas do not only work, but are also on a par with international best practice. Proper research
ultimately results in ideas with integrity.
SERVICES
LAND FACILITATION:
Land facilitation is an integrated process of Urban Design, Urban Viability and Urban Economics based on an agreed
vision. Value is added to land by designing not only the land uses and urban form, but also the implementation process.
URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORKS:
NEWURBAN is experienced in the preparation of Urban Design Frameworks within which landowners, developers and
their architects can invent, build or change the physical environment in a holistic and co-ordinated way.
Urban Design Frameworks include the following:
Urban Design Frameworks include the following:
- Contextual Framework,
- Spatial Development Framework,
- Implementation Framework and Management Framework.
- Within these components we address issues relating to urban form, land-use, urban conservation, movement and transport, infrastructure and public amenities.
DESIGN GUIDELINES:
Where appropriate, we encourage the use of design guidelines to be administered by a design review committee. This results in precincts of character that are neither sterile, repetitive "developments", nor laissez-faire, ad hoc, multi-styled haphazard townships where anything goes. Development risk is lower and the agreed vision is attained.
The goals of urban design are to add value to properties and to produce an urban environment of quality, relevance and timelessness. These goals are seen as mutually supportive and directly related to each other. Holm Jordaan Group is experienced at inner city revitalization and the facilitation of property development through urban design intervention for the public and private sectors.
HOUSING
HOUSING
In line with the latest national policies towards creating Sustainable Human Settlements, we have years of experience in the creation of urban design and architectural solutions for the housing sector throughout the income spectrum, ranging from small scale to mega projects.
NEWURBAN provides clients with renewable resources technology to become more efficient, effective and environmentally responsible.
HERITAGE
HERITAGE
With a long history in all aspects of heritage related work. We propagate a fresh approach when restoring sensitive historical buildings. We go about this not only in a knowledgeable way, but also by carrying out a thorough analysis of the projected future of the building in order to ensure a new lease of life and to make it appropriate for its present or new use.
SERVICES
RESTORATION POLICY DOCUMENTATION:
The compilation of a restoration policy document is an excellent tool to evaluate present and future needs and to act as a benchmark.
A restoration policy document ensures that sensitive historic features are identified and will not be damaged or destroyed by future planners or users. A restoration policy document contains and addresses the following issues:
- The role of the building in its present and immediate future;
- The role of the building in its broader environment and urban context;
- The present and future uses of the building;
- The functional conversion of the building to fulfill its new roles or uses;
- Flexible solutions that will ensure adaptability in future without damaging the historic character and features;
- Identification of historic sensitive features;
- Evaluation of new systems and equipment that would support the building's contemporary role without harming the sensitive features;
- Evaluation of past maintenance problem areas and replacement or repair thereof in a knowledgeable way;
- Proper analysis and recording of the building's history to date.
VALUE-ADDED ADVANTAGES
The restoration and revitalization of buildings have a number of advantages. Compared to replacement with a new building structure, historic buildings are landmarks; it has an intrinsic value as the components making up the building structure would be very expensive to replace at the same quality; it has a rich history and status in the society; it shows that the owner is sensitive towards conservation of the past.
With the correct approach and skills, historic buildings can be revitalized cost-effectively and sustainably.
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
We approach all projects holistically, promoting sustainability as the overall goal within all fields of expertise settled in our office. Green design is not only about energy efficiency. Instead it involves a whole nexus of interrelated issues, including urban, social, cultural, psychological and economic dimensions which are as important as the technical and ecological aspects.
NEWURBAN provides clients with renewable resources technology to become more efficient, effective and environmentally responsible.
Value-added advantages to eco-architecture:
Cost and resource savings
Saving of electricity consumption, reduced peak demand, saving on water consumption, saving on maintenance cost, reduced
destruction of natural resources.
Environmental quality
Reduced air pollution, increased comfort, increased productivity, better health.
Image and branding
Environmentally responsible, contemporary, globally competitive, and a sound investment.
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
We believe in research for each project to ensure that ideas do not only work, but are also
on a par with international best practice. Proper research ultimately results
in ideas with integrity.
- Design research and Research by design
- Urban related research for urban design, housing and architecture
- Policy making and policy implementation
- Energy-effective architectural design and creative recycling of buildings
- Enviromental management and alternative energy planning and research
- Heritage and enviromental research as well as policy formulation
- Economic analysis and strategies relating to all dimensions of the Housing Market
- Teaching and curriculum development regarding the building industry, housing, urban design and other related industries as well as training and accreditation
- Facilitating conferences and symposiums to ensure that knowledge and the synergy of networking peers are harnassed
5 Guild House, 239 Bronkhorst Str,
Nieuw Muckleneuk
Nieuw Muckleneuk
Pretoria, South Africa
+27(0)12 341 4579
+27(0)86 036 0000
Copyright © 2016 NewUrban