As we stand in front of the impressive facade of the revamped AngloGold Ashanti building on Turbine Square in downtown Johannesburg, architect, writer-critic and sociologist Professor Alan Lipman explains that Newtown is slowly becoming one of Johannesburg’s most exemplary architectural locations.
Situated between the historical buildings of a former city power station, the rebuilt Turbine Hall on the intersection of Ntemi Piliso, Jeppe and Miriam Makeba streets now provides a brand-new work space for the 470 employees of South Africa’s leading global gold producer.
Today a heritage site, the Turbine Hall was originally one of the first electricity stations in Johannesburg. After its operations were halted, the building was left derelict during the 1990s. In 2001, its further demise was prevented by the Newtown Renewal Programme.
”The fine building of AngloGold Ashanti is an exception between the other refurbished Newtown buildings,” explains Lipman as we walk towards its entrance.
”Although I think the other buildings — like the Workers’ Library, MuseuMAfricA and the Market Theatre — have been altered and reused in a positive way, it remains a work in progress. And I don’t think the proposed cultural centre for the community will ever be completed. There is simply no money for it,” he says,
”AngloGold, on the other hand, has all the money in the world. So I am not surprised by its appealing looks.”
When entering AngloGold’s impressive but welcoming foyer, the open plan of the structure is prominent. The thoughtfully designed and imposing open shaft for a pair of exposed elevators draws the eye immediately.
Walking past the 190-seater auditorium, adaptable office spaces, clinic, gymnasium, canteen and conference rooms, it’s clear that money wasn’t an issue when designing the complex. The designers, Guy Steenekamp of TPS Architects and Steve Lanahan of AngloGold, didn’t spare any resources in setting an architectural example.
As Lipman guides me through the foyer — which was part of the water system for cooling the former electricity plant — to the north boiler house, he explains the different phases of the construction process.
”The north boiler house was the first of the three interconnected structures that was rebuilt. Here they constructed a new, four-storey building in its place. What’s exciting about the building is that everything reminds of how it was. It’s admirable how they changed so much, but managed to keep the same profile as the old building,” he says.
”There are many reminders of how it was. Just look at the form of the building and the impressive concrete bracing and remnants of bolted joints that have been left exposed. They just left parts of the old steel and built around it. The features of the whole building are very cautiously and sensitively designed, and still it has this great industrial feel.”
The second phase, the renovation of the Turbine Hall, is still under way, but Lipman explains its cathedral-like features are already ”very exciting”.
”The new AngloGold Ashanti building is an example of very fine contemporary architecture, owing to the historical value of the square and its surrounding buildings,” he says.
The new headquarters of AngloGold Ashanti offers 13Â 000 square metres of open-plan office space and will be fully operational by October.
When we make our way outside and leave the building through its security ports, it seems a shame it is only accessible to its employees and their visitors.