 |
Runhare
House
|
||
|
Click link on thumbnail. More images...! . . |
Location
|
Harare (CBD) | |
|
Designers
|
George Fleet | ||
|
Date
|
August 1985 | ||
|
Original
Client
|
PTC , Telecoms | ||
|
Style
|
Post modern | ||
|
Discussion
|
Runhare
House represents the period when most leading Hararian architects abandoned
context and genius loci for what Peter Jackson described as "pastiches
of First World magazine symbolism and imagery". It was to be followed
by the likes of the Sheraton Hotel (1986), Pegasus House (1988), and Reserve
Bank HQ (1997) to name a few. As the wave swept through the 'urbanscape'
of the city was left in a disjointed and discordant cluster of buildings,
each trying to out-shout the other. Only until very recently, and even
then with limited success have local architects started redressing this
imbalance and recognising local influences, climate and setting in their
designs.
So it was then, that the state telecoms company PTC commissioned George Fleet in 1982 to design what was to be their headquarters. The building comprised two wings: a 12-storey south and a 10-storey north wing, separated by a central services (lifts, stairs, ducts etc.) core. Each wing measures 48 meters long and 13,5 meters wide. The typical floors were all open plan with a total floor area of nearly 15000 square meters. The building appears to be hoisted 6 meters above the ground on beton brut capitoled concrete columns, with the void serving as a covered parking area. Each wing is carried on three rows of columns; one row (on the façade line) either side of a central one. The building's reinforced concrete frame is clad in aluminium and curtain walling. Construction began in July 1983 and the building was completed in August 1985. It was constructed by Costain (Africa) and engineered by Ove Arup. Ref. . |
||
|
Web
Resources
|
. . . |
||
|
Credits
|
The Zimbabwe Engineer (September 1983) . |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
© 2000-2003 All Rights Reserved. All copyrights on images and trademarks presented here remain property of their respective owners. No images shall be copied, reproduced or distributed without the written consent of the author. No infringement of rights is meant or implied. We will not be responsible nor liable for any loss or damage, including but not limited to loss of profits, goodwill or indirect or consequential loss arising out of any use of or inaccuracies in any information on this site. |