The Joburg Property Company has scooped the award for the Best International Public Services Development at the International Property Awards for the iconic new council chamber.
The International Property Awards, which celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry, bestowed the property company with this honour on 4 December in the United Kingdom.
The property company was also the only nominee from Africa in the Public Services Development Awards category.
Last year the R280-million council chamber was awarded the 5-Star Green Award, and the Public Services Development Award by the Africa and Arabia Property Awards.
The Speaker of Council, Vasco da Gama, welcomed the latest award.
“This is certainly another feather in the cap for our beloved chamber and thank you to everyone who has played a part in the construction and maintenance of this awesome chamber. Your hard work is bearing fruit,” he said.
MMC for Economic Development, Leah Knott, said this accolade has shown that the chamber is a world-class architectural innovation which is not an anomaly in South Africa but in a globally competitive property development environment.
What’s inside?
The chamber seats 363 councillors and 172 members of the public and media.
The property company said the audio-visual and delegate system is fully programmable and completely customised and can be updated in line with any future changes in the way the chamber operates.
“The form itself is that of a transparent drum – a cylindrical structure enveloped entirely by a glass façade with vertical glass fins covering the curved outer skin of the building,” it said.
The circular shape of the chamber represents the African drum. It is also symbolic of the lekgotla, a traditional African gathering place. The word itself means a place where meetings are held in seTswana.
The glass building envelope enables an uninterrupted visual link between the indoor and surrounding outdoor spaces, the property company said.
“This allows the outside world to have a visual connection with the building’s occupants, which is symbolic of a constant dialogue between the public and municipal officials.”
The main chamber contains locally crafted carpeting while the entrance walls are covered with artwork in various media.
Outside, a set of six-metre tall flagpoles are positioned around the pond. These flagpoles bear the names of former councillors, in tribute to their service.
The chamber also boasts 134 heritage totem poles, which reflect the stories of the residents of the city, from its San heritage to the scramble for gold.
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