Uxolo公寓是位于开普敦中央商务区的第一个完成的微型单元住宅项目。该项目包括35个住宅单元，面积从24平方米的微型工作室单元到40平方米的阁楼单元不等，还有一个位于底层的大堂和零售区，面积只有195.5平方米。
Uxolo Apartments is the first completed micro-unit residential development located in the Cape Town CBD. The project consists of 35 residential units ranging between 24m² micro-studio units and 40m² loft units, as well as a lobby and retail area on the Ground Floor on a stand of only 195.5m².
该项目的最初开发意图是在开普敦创建一个标志性的短期住宿目的地，并有一些长期租户，就像东京的Nagakin Capsule Tower和鹿特丹的Cube House一样。然而，Covid-19的流行导致了对这种方法的重新评估，将重点放在长期住户上。这导致了单位的设计更加复杂，以满足长期租户的更多要求。重点的改变需要一些额外的规划，但所建成的建筑可以说更好地满足了南非住房市场的需求。
The initial development intention for the project was to create an iconic short-stay accommodation destination in Cape Town, with some long-term tenants, in the same way, that Tokyo has the Nagakin Capsule Tower and Rotterdam has the Cube House. The Covid-19 pandemic has however resulted in a re-evaluation of this approach, focusing on longer-stay tenants. This resulted in units that were far more complex in design to meet the considerably more extensive requirements of a permanent tenant. The change in focus required some additional planning but resulted in a building that arguably better responds to a need in the South African housing market.
对于南非城市的居民来说，目前很少有 “精心策划 “和具有成本效益的替代方案来取代南非的城市扩张和漫长的通勤。该项目位于Vredenberg Lane，这是一条连接Long Street的小巷，距离Kloof和Loop街道都在步行范围内，距离办公室、餐厅、交通路线和便利设施都很近。单位的规模相对较小，确保了市场上大部分人都能负担得起。
For residents of South African cities, there are currently few ‘curated’ and cost-effective alternatives to the South African norm of urban sprawl and long commutes. The project located on Vredenberg Lane, an alley joining Long Street and within walking distance of Kloof and Loop streets, is within easy reach of offices, eateries, transport routes, and amenities. The relatively small size of the units ensures that they are affordable to a large section of the market.
为了成功容纳微型单元的长期租户，我们特别注意了单元内部的细节设计。一个单一的细木工制品单元，几乎延伸到单元的长度，满足了居民所有可能的日常需求和活动。细木工板的安装是由Kink Design公司设计、制造和安装的，该公司是二五五建筑师事务所的一个分支机构。事实上，细木工制品的设计和管理都在同一个办公室进行，这确保了项目的语言保持连贯性。该单元的设计同时容纳了一个设备齐全的厨房、内置橱柜、滑出式学习桌、丰富的隐藏式存储空间以及一张可收起的折叠床，以显示休息室的沙发。
In order to successfully accommodate a long-term tenant in the micro-units special attention was paid to detailing the interior of the units. A single joinery unit, almost stretching the length of the unit, accommodates all the possible daily needs and activities of a resident. The joinery installation was designed, manufactured, and installed by Kink Design, a branch of Two Five Five Architects. The fact that the joinery installation was conceived and managed efficiently in the same office ensured that the language of the project stayed coherent. The design of the unit simultaneously accommodates a fully kitted kitchen, built in cupboard, slide-out study desk, abundant concealed storage as well as a murphy bed that stows away to reveal a sofa for the lounge.
八层楼中的每一层都有四个这样的工作室单元，同时每二层都有一个阁楼单元。为了容纳这些单元，必须有效地利用狭小的场地面积，将建筑直接建在0米的建筑线上。为了让单元内有自然光，我们使用了玻璃砖，而不是将立面向后退去以开窗。 由此产生的平坦的外墙就像一个平坦的平原，可以在上面铺设挂毯。该设计从Esther Mhlangu的作品中看到的传统图案，以及Ninevites的地毯等当代纺织品设计中获得了灵感。外墙的玻璃砖与Corobrik公司的不同面砖结合在一起，创造出一种 “挂毯”，这种挂毯维护成本低，应该可以很好地保存。
There are four of these studio units on each of the eight floors, along with a loft unit on every second floor. To accommodate these units the small site area available had to be used efficiently, with the building built right up to the 0m building lines. To allow for natural light in the units glass blocks were used, instead of stepping the façade back for windows. The resultant flat façade was treated just like that, a flat plain on which a tapestry can be laid. The design takes inspiration from traditional patterns as seen in the work of Esther Mhlangu, as well as contemporary textile design such as rugs by Ninevites. The glass bricks on the façade were combined with different face bricks by Corobrik to create a ‘tapestry’ that is low in maintenance and should age well.
挂毯式的立面被街道立面的亮粉色 “棉花糖 “阳台所点缀。这些阳台为单元创造了一个增值的脚印，住户可以从阳台上俯瞰城市和标志性的桌山。同时，这些阳台也暗示了 “标志性 “的形象，这也是开发简报的一部分。
The tapestry façade is punctuated by bright pink ‘marshmallow’ balconies on the street façade. These balconies create a value-added footprint to the units from which the residents can look over the city to the iconic Table Mountain. At the same time, the balconies also hint the ‘iconic’ image that that was part of the developmental brief.
Architects: Two Five Five Architects
Area: 1306 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs: Paris Brummer, André Krige, Carel Nicolaas Smit
Manufacturers: Geberit, Hansgrohe, Corobrik, Gerflor, Polyflor, Aluglass, Kink Design
Structural Engineer: MISC Engineering
Mechanical Engineering: De Villiers & Moore
Electrical Engineering: Frame
Quantity Surveyor: Peregrine QS
Main Contractor: JW Hugo, Vredenberg Properties
Project Designer:André Krige
Project Manager:Theo Kruger
Joinery Design:André Krige, Stephan Lategan
Joinery Installation:Stephan Lategan
Wayfinding & Signage:Su-Elna Bester van Blerk
Project Architect:Conrad Janse van Rensburg
Architects:Two Five Five Architects
Fire Consultant:De Villiers & Moore
Façade Engineering:Sutherland Engineering
City:Cape Town
Country:South Africa