The Lion Match Company

This iconic South African company has a new home in Durban – The Lion Match Company perpetually strives to improve their product formulations and technology to ensure that products are reliable and set at an optimum level of performance. The site was designed by Durban-based architects, Emmett Architects who provide appropriate sustainable architectural solutions mindful of climate, context and the culture of the location in which the site is being developed. This is none more true than for the Durban Point Development, where a number of heritage sites exist and sensitivity to the environment and neighboring harbour, are taken into consideration. The architecture of The Lion Match Co. maximizes the footprint of the site and a clever use of glazing places full emphasis on the views to the port of Durban. The steel screens on the eastern site of the structure help in reducing the heat of the rising sun while at the same time provide a aesthetic transition from the roadside and through the palm trees. The fire escape on the rear side of the premises has been carefully thought out in the design process to make a statement on that elevation where some have commented on it resembling a mineshaft, adding drama to the architectural detailing.