Award-Winning Office Interior Design by Aartium: Transforming Industrial Heritage into Quality Sustainability.

Originally constructed in 1960 as a mixed-use light industrial facility, the RGC Engineering building served as both office space and a factory floor for one of South Africa's most established engineering brands. In 2025, the heritage structure underwent a significant transformation, led by Aartium, to deliver a contemporary workplace and showroom that honours the company’s legacy while positioning it firmly within the future of high-performance engineering environments.

This adaptive reuse project saw the conversion of a 1,000-square-metre industrial floor plate into a sophisticated, energy-conscious interior that reflects RGC Engineering’s brand DNA: precision, functionality, and enduring quality. In recognition of its excellence, the design was awarded the Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2025 for "Best Contemporary Office Interior Design for RGC Engineering in South Africa."

Balancing Heritage with Innovation

Aartium’s design approach began with a fundamental respect for the building’s industrial character, maintaining exposed concrete ceilings and structural elements to reduce material waste and reinforce the site's utilitarian authenticity. This heritage-conscious strategy informed a design vernacular that is minimal, high-tech, and intentionally utilitarian—mirroring RGC Engineering’s own ethos of pragmatic precision.

Through a refined interplay of industrial materials, clean-lined detailing, and strategically placed glass partitions, the spatial configuration celebrates openness and natural light. These internal glazed walls enhance daylight penetration deep into the building core, reducing reliance on artificial lighting while supporting employee well-being.

A Blueprint for Sustainable Efficiency

One of the most critical challenges in the project was aligning initial capital investment with long-term ecological and operational efficiencies. Aartium responded by incorporating a comprehensive low-energy, high-efficiency strategy throughout the design. The entire facility now operates on a solar-powered system with integrated battery storage, capable of feeding excess energy back into the local grid—turning the site from a passive consumer into an active contributor.

Motion-sensor lighting, centralised climate control with smart zoning, and adaptive low-energy systems have been seamlessly embedded across the office and showroom spaces. These systems are supported by automated features such as self-closing doors that prevent climate leakage, and double-glazed windows that stabilise internal temperature fluctuations, thus reducing HVAC loads.

Water-saving measures were also prioritised, with smart-flow taps and greywater recycling systems ensuring that the design remains resource-responsible. These features not only demonstrate environmental foresight but also reflect the precision and performance expected of an engineering brand.

Material Logic and Design Intelligence

Aartium applied a cradle-to-cradle logic in material selection and usage. Every element was assessed for longevity, environmental impact, and lifecycle performance. Lightweight internal glass partitions reduced material demand while promoting visual connectivity and collaborative workflows. Finishes were chosen for durability and minimal maintenance, aligning with the company's engineering ethos of long-term reliability.

Exposing the industrial ceiling and retaining existing mechanical and structural components further reduced construction waste, offering a raw but refined aesthetic that resonates with both past and future. This material honesty contributes to a clear spatial narrative: performance with purpose.

A Model for Future-Facing Workplace Design

The RGC Engineering headquarters, as reimagined by Aartium, is more than a workspace—it is a strategic embodiment of brand, sustainability, and innovation. It serves as a model for how heritage industrial spaces can be reinterpreted for contemporary use without losing their identity.

Aartium’s achievement in delivering a technologically advanced, environmentally responsive, and aesthetically compelling solution confirms the studio’s reputation as a leader in architectural and interior design. The Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2025 recognition not only affirms the project’s excellence but also sets a benchmark for the future of office design in industrial contexts across the globe.