Black Bull Steakhouse, Cape Town, South Africa

CANTILEVERED CONVENIENCE MEETS CLEVER COMPOSITE DESIGN

Rachael Gilbert from Jakuba Architects and Urban Design conceptualised the project from creative concept to completion, literally envisioning an Instagram worthy “garden city” incorporating natural materials, plants and palettes that enhanced the environment while withstanding the climate.

Gilbert designed a contemporary L-shaped building with cantilevered ceilings linked by airy walkways and decorative screens featuring white walls, dark galvanised steel and concrete, clear polycarbon ceilings combined with bamboo composite and natural timber accents.

The result was maximum architectural impact with intuitive flow, clever natural lighting and built-in protection from the wind, rain and sun.

An elevated conference centre with a sloping roof and decorative slatted screen welcomes visitors off Wood Drive on the western entrance. An attractive covered walkway featuring polycarbon roofing and wood-look rafters leads shoppers into the centre allowing natural light and ventilation. The Lifespan bamboo composite beams together with the timber-trim trusses provide shading and structural interest to draw the eye skyward, enhancing the natural aesthetic and providing a definite sense of direction.

A big block building with a cantilevered roof was constructed for the primary anchor tenant, Spar, on the corner of the northern western façade, fringed by another decorative slatted bamboo composite Lifespan screen.

The Black Bull Steakhouse, one of two secondary anchor tenants together with their Events Box neighbour, was erected as a centrepiece on the northern façade facing Berkshire Boulevard as a mono-pitch ‘greenhouse’.

Black Bull Steakhouse’s double-volume barn-style A-frame shopfront features gigantic wood-look timber trusses and rafters made from Eva Last’s lightweight Lifespan architectural beams, fixed to tinted polycarbon sheeting, and an enormous 15m double-stacking glass door.

Not only does the Black Bull Steakhouse serve as family-friendly restaurant, complete with a 5 x 50m outdoor pergola for the children’s playground, but it stands as an imposing, visible landmark for passing traffic and tourists from afar.

This architectural masterpiece beckons diners and shoppers to savour the structural ingenuity, stunning décor and gastronomic delights of Black Bull Steakhouse while simultaneously enjoying the surrounds. Hanging gardens, woven baskets, cladded bar counter and naked copper globes complement the building’s organic materiality, while a cheerful cherry blossom and gorgeous green indoor tree add to its authentic ambience.

Tinted polycarbon siding and Eva Last’s Lifespan beams placed vertically create a skylight effect that maintains thermal stability throughout the year (and satisfies XA regulations). This lends a fashionable feel to the exterior whilst allowing patrons to enjoy the scenery or starlight no matter what the weather.