BMW Canteens

A light-filled staff canteen under a roof held up by steel trees.

The brief

BMW South Africa needed a new staff canteen at its Rosslyn plant, and upgrades to existing canteens at Rosslyn and its Midrand offices. The practice delivered the work with Co-Arc Architects.

The idea

A deep, overhanging roof rests on branching steel columns, like a grove of trees, so the dining hall needs few supports and stays open. Full-height glazing fills it with daylight, and the roof extends to shelter an outdoor terrace.

The result

A bright, generous place for staff to eat and meet, which glows like a lantern after dark.