Pick n Pay On Nicol Retail Centre is an award-winning building designed by Bentel Associates International in 2010. This contemporary and very sculptural building draws on its soaring exposed structural steel elements to define a modern ‘form follows function’ aesthetic that delineates majestic double volume spaces allowing an expanse of natural daylight into the interior. This makes the supermarket shopping experience a novel one in a country where consumers are used to shopping for groceries in dim fluorescent-lit spaces.

This year, Pick n Pay realised their dream to further enhance the shopper’s experience by refurbishing the Centre. In conjunction with AIR&D, Pick n Pay’s in-house design team worked together to create a new look and feel for the Supermarket and Liquor Store. It was an immensely exciting project for Bentel Associates International to be involved in. Extremely tight programme constraints and the fact that the store continued to trade during construction, meant that the team had to work very closely in order to meet the programme deadlines, often detailing elements on site after hours as construction continued 24/7.

The interior of the Supermarket was stripped completely in order to improve sight-lines across the space, and new ‘floating’ bulkheads were introduced along the perimeter of the space, delineating the various Food and Deli areas. Pick n Pay, together with AIR&D, designed speciality nodes within the trading area such as the Ice-Cream bar, Coffee Bar, Chocolatier and the Food Demo area, heightening the customer’s experience. Likewise, the Sushi and Teppanyaki Bars were designed by Pick n Pay to draw the customer towards the remodelled Restaurant – which was increased in area, creating a double-volume internal space and outdoor dining area, retaining the views of the spruit. Restaurant interiors were designed by B.I.G., a subsidiary of Bentel Associates International.

Bentel Associates International were also involved in refurbishing the building façade to reflect the new colours and contemporary theme of the interiors, including new way-finding signage, a new look walkway, and a bolder charcoal palette. The line shops were also relocated, opening up views from the parking area. Overall, the refurbishment both internally and externally is contemporary, uncluttered and ‘fresh’, and the team is proud of their achievement.

Following the completion of Pick n Pay On Nicol Bentel Associates completed two additional developments for Pick n Pay Retailers, namely Pick n Pay Chatsworth, Chatsworth Durban and Pick n Pay Rosmead, Kenilworth Cape Town.