MTN Innovation Centre – Phase 2, Johannesburg
A solid platform for innovation at MTN
Phase 2 of the MTN Innovation Centre in Fairland, Johannesburg, was designed to further enhance the high-technology development that will eventually consolidate MTN South Africa, a major telecommunications company, into a single site.
Zutari provided structural, civil and geotechnical engineering for this project, as well as wet services and fire design. The building comprises two blocks that are connected by a central core with elevators and a partly suspended link bridge connecting Phases 1 and 2. In order to meet MTN’s extensive electrical and data service needs, raised access flooring and suspended ceilings were provided.
Challenges faced throughout the project included tight timeframes, with completion of the concrete structure to be achieved within eight months. In addition, various areas of the building were required to be made available to the end-user in a phased process to allow prompt fit-out and occupation. Adding to the complexity of the project, most of the external work needed to be completed during the rainy season, while extensions to the scope of work needed to be accommodated as the project progressed.
Various areas of the building were required to be made available to the end-user in a phased process to allow prompt fit-out and occupation.
The result was a multi-layered, high-tech service orientated building that can withstand the high-volume customer base and client traffic.
The result was a multi-layered, high-tech service orientated building that can withstand the high-volume customer base and client traffic catered for by MTN. Due to its robustness and flexible design intended to accommodate future changes and energy efficiency, the building also formed part of the green building challenge, a worldwide collaboration project by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
*The Aurecon Africa business has been officially renamed Zutari as at 21 July 2020. Zutari acquired Aurecon Middle East on 20 November 2020.
