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FOUR ON O in heart of Sea Point is first
new-build project for Paragon

Architects in Cape Town

aragon Architects has embarked The building consists of studios, one-
on its first new-build project in bedroom, two-bedroom apartments
PCape Town, the 36-unit apartment and two duplex apartments located on
block FOUR ON O for the client BLOK. the 6th and 7th floors. The lifestyle deck
“Clinching a new-build project of this size offers a pool and seating area, braai area
within two years of establishing our office and look-out deck. FOUR ON O has two base materials of buildings for aesthetic
is quite an achievement for both us and basements providing 39 parking bays. reasons is interrogated. Thus the base
the client,” comments Project Architect Demolition began on 20 August 2020, materials are looked at with a new lens
Jarred Pincus. with project completion anticipated in as to how to celebrate their own beauty
While Paragon Group has an established November 2021. The two basements are and natural occurrence. Not only does
market presence in Johannesburg, the being constructed at present. this create a unique look, it reduces the
Cape Town office required time to One of the main challengers was to fit wastage generated on-site and inherently
establish itself as a stakeholder in the 36 units onto a confined site and make makes the model much more sustainable.
Western Cape, which has its differences the basement parking work efficiently, “As architects, we always have baseline
from Gauteng. “It takes time to unlock while allowing for the usual services sustainability elements incorporated
potential projects requiring multiple requirements. “The smaller site proved into our work,” points out Fick. These
factors to go right,” explains Pincus. to be a design challenge to ensure the include north-facing units, cavity walls, a
“Located in the heart of Sea Point, suitability of the vehicle access, as well preference for specifying ‘green’ materials,
we needed to celebrate the access and as a design that maximises the allowable low-flow sanitary and brassware and
uniquely central location of FOUR ON envelope but fits within the context and efficient building systems. dw
O. The units are designed to be a private improves the area,” notes Fick.
extension of the urban area, with a lock- Working with BLOK is a significant Professional team
up-and-go mentality,” comments Project coup for Paragon Architects in Cape • Architect: Paragon Architects
Architect Kirsty Fick. Town, as the developer has already • Developer: BLOK
As a developer, BLOK has an in- curated and delivered ten projects to date, • Quantity surveyor: Multiqs
depth understanding of the market and with FOUR ON O its eleventh. “They • Structural, civil, fire and electrical
hence chose to deliver a highly accessible have learnt what the market is looking for, engineer: Sutherland Engineers
offering. Young professionals can now as well as being a stakeholder in ensuring • Wet services and mechanical: EKCON
access what was once a high-barrier area a quality urban environment, which • Demolition and bulk earthworks:
by investing in compact studios with aligns perfectly with our own manifesto Franki Africa (part of the Keller Group)
reduced costs that are then forwarded as Paragon Architects,” comments Pincus. • Main contractor: HFO Construction
onto the buyers, but still deliver living The concept behind BLOK RAW
spaces that celebrate the area. ensures that the old idea of covering up the www.paragon.co.za

dw • Issue 238 15