Concretizing the ethos of Sets Drapes Screen (SDS) in 2017, is the fast-growing set
building company’s new look and revamped 160sqm work space. “It is extremely
important that our employees work in a safe and inspiring environment but it is also
vital that our building reflects what we are about as a company. We are active in
various arenas – corporate, film, exhibition and experiential events and the building
needed to reflect that versatility as well’ says SDS Managing Director, Pieter
Joubert.
The company’s new look is fun, fresh and funky with a strong local influence and
was designed with input from the staff who works in it. “Almost everyone got
involved, poring over colour swatches and contributing ideas’ explains Joubert, “Our
team is now completely invested in our work environment, both in terms of the
building and our immediate surroundings. Not only is the look clean and new but
our light fittings are all LED, the materials used for the build were sourced from
sustainable resources, we have recycling bins in all the offices and we have made
the most of our natural light – so we feel that we are respecting our environment
more as well.’
An eye-catching abstracted map design in the reception area demarcates the
location of Sets, Drapes Screens and the Gearhouse Group within Bezuidenhout
Valley. While the notion of incorporating the map was Joubert’s, the idea was
adopted and transformed into an abstract iteration of the company’s philosophy by
Andre Matthysen, SDS Operations Manager.
The Main boardroom’s glass walls continue the celebration of “local’ with a large
scale sand-blasted Jozi skyline. The room is dominated by a triangular 16-seater
boardroom table; designed in such a way that everyone at the table can see each
other at all times and that all participants have a clear view of the large plasma
wall screen surface. Communication is fundamental at SDS and you can see that
this too was an integral element of the planning throughout. In the workspaces,
brightly coloured thought bubbles and cloud cut-outs are used to jot down notes,
thoughts, reminders or inspirations.
The company, too, is moving and spreading and will open its new branch in Durban
in March. According to SDS Durban’s new General Manager, Karien Eigner, the
Durban Market has grown to the extent that it now warrants its own local operation.
“There are more and more requests from clients and venues in the region and our
existing clients want the same benefits of local SDS manufacture for their tours that
they enjoy in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
The branch will also be used as an additional resource when the Cape Town and
Johannesburg facilities are working to capacity.
Sets, Drapes, Screens Durban branch is located not far from the Gearhouse Group
Offices in Westmead and will be managed by Pieter Brink, who has been integral to
the Johannesburg operation for the past few years.