One of Durban’s first settled areas, the historic Point Precinct, is now home to a contemporary new building: the iconic headquarters of The Lion Match Company. The first new building in Mahatma Gandhi Road (Point Rd) in decades, this R80 million new Lion Match Company head office includes a five storey, 5 000m² mixed use development made up of a 2000m² distribution warehouse, corporate offices, retail space and covered parking.

Originally located in landmark premises in Umgeni Rd, when its proximity to residential areas was no longer appropriate for health and safety reasons, The Fasic Investment Company who bought The Lion Match Company from South African Breweries in 2001, relocated the match manufacturing plant to Rosslyn, Pretoria.

However, there was still a need for state-of-the-art offices in Durban and The Lion Match Company became the first blue chip company to put down roots in the Point Waterfront.

Chairman, Mr Gora Abdoola had a strong idea of what he wanted and design of the new premises was awarded to Durbanbased architectural firm, Emmett Architects cc who were charged with creating a new iconic home for The Lion Match Company.  The practice, which is renowned for providing sustainable architectural solutions has worked on a number of restoration projects in the area as well as contemporary designs and was the ideal partner on this project.

“Working on a conservation project is always interesting as most buildings have small elements of infill,” said Trish Emmett. “Our challenge on this project was different, though:the entire Point area is a historic precinct and the new building was positioned opposite the old Station Masters Offices. We responded by setting the entrance courtyard back so that the view of the listed building was not impaired.”

Fronted by the company’s iconic golden lion, the building was designed to blend with its portside location with decks and sails and floor to ceiling glass that provides magnificent views over South Africa’s largest and busiest harbour. “The simplicity of the façade is a foil for the richness of the surrounding heritage buildings,” said Emmett, going on to explain that, “If you pare down the plan and extract the main elements, it is simplified to a profile of a lion (with the sun screens making up the mane).”

“Our plan was to create another significant building. To this end we have included in the design three golden lions which are a critical part of The Lion Match Company’s identity: the lion on the ground floor in the forecourt roars on the hour and the other two are at the entrance to the offices on the second floor and on the roof, said Abdoola.

Other elements from the original building in Umgeni Rd were also incorporated into the new design.  The main staircase linking the ground floor to the offices is semi-circular as a memory of the original staircase, however, in a nod to the new modern design a 12-metre water walls runs down the centre of the stairs.

Because of the harshness of the environment, materials were chosen specifically for their low maintenance qualities. The structure is concrete with brick infill, the curtain walls are glass and highest quality stainless steel as well as galvanised steel has been used in the construction. Because of its hardwearing qualities, matt grey granite was used on the floors.

A number of noteworthy green elements were incorporated into the design. “The building faces south which is the correct orientation to ensure that the sun does not shine directly into the front façade. On the east-side decorative fins have been designed to deflect the morning sun which has a significantly beneficial effect on the air conditioning running costs,” said Trish.

Other green elements include a rear north facing wall which has been designed as a green wall with mesh panels on which creepers will be encouraged to grow. And, the decking is recycled plastic with a maintenance free lifespan of more than 15 years.

“We have created a home for The Lion Match Company for a long time to come, which adequately takes care of its long term vision for growth,” said Abdoola.