Radisson Red

Rosebank, Johannesburg, is a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly urban centre with a mix of retail, commercial, cultural, hospitality and residential spaces, close to public transport. The new Oxford Parks precinct lies at the edge of the CBD. The Radisson RED hotel holds pride of place in the precinct.

The building’s distinctive façade features contrasting treatments. The mid-section of stacked brickwork features large, punctured windows and projecting sills in a regular pattern; while the east and west façades feature glass curtain walls and offset vertical aluminium cladding. The grand full-height entrance canopy, highlighted with public artworks and halo pendant lights, creates a striking sense of place. Ground-floor volumes are visually transparent to increase internal/external interaction, reinforced by interior spaces that spill over into undercover outdoor seating areas. Illumination at night magnifies the visual impact.

Art is a key feature. Bold red accents and sculptural red artworks reference the RED brand. A commissioned angel-wing sculpture by local artist Usha Seejarim forms a prominent landmark. Corridors, rooms and suites feature custom-designed wallpaper inspired by local people, art, music and fashion. Street-style art displays change regularly. An interactive digi-wall and Chromecast televisions offer high-tech visuals.

The brief was to create an architecturally sophisticated 222-key hotel with a playful tone. The design accommodates rooms and suites of various sizes, some interleading, with functional efficiency. The hotel is built above a super basement to activate the urban realm. The double-volume reception area opens into a concept restaurant and bar. Various meeting spaces, public bathrooms, and maintenance and plant facilities are accommodated on the ground floor. The topmost floor includes a gym and rooftop bar with floating roof and pergola elements, pool and terrace, set back in a more dynamic form.

The building adheres to ASHRAE standards for high thermal comfort. For hygiene control, evaporative cooling systems are not used, and energy-efficient fittings surpass SANS 10400 standards. The HVAC system includes air-cooled chillers, heat recovery and fresh air units.

The northern façade features an attractive, practical face-brick cladding system. A series of vertical mortar joints seamlessly incorporates unsightly movement joints into the vertical pattern. The result is a clean, seamless brickwork façade that can effortlessly accommodate the punched framed windows.

• Client Intaprop
• Location Johannesburg
• Year 2022
• Status Built
• Green Rating 5 Star - Hotel Design
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