CATEGORY WINNER: OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
Mitchells Plain District Hospital
Mitchells Plain District Hospital sets a new
precedent for modern South African public
healthcare design, environmental sustainability
and community-centered institutions. The design
combined the input of a professional team with
the policy direction and experience of the Western
Cape Health Directorate of the Department of
Transport and Public Works, local clinicians and
the community.
The hospital is located on five hectares of a
unique nature reserve, which was rehabilitated and
conserved during and after construction, allowing for
the building to be integrated in a lush greenfield site.
The planning was based on a centralised
‘Mandala’ compact repeating plan, which allows
for the building’s optimal orientation for sunlight and
views, reduced walking distances, ease of control
and flexibility for change and future expansion.
An interior way-finding system was developed
combining multiple languages, colours, pictograms
and artwork, created by community and staff, which
imbue a clinical and sterile institution with life and
colour. A passage is lined with pictures embedded
with hearts, flowers, faces and hands, meant to
convey healing. The design approach enhances
the healing process. The goal is to create both a
welcoming and functional facility that creates a
healing atmosphere which aims to minimise stress
in an inherently clinical environment.
A total of R97 Million was invested in employment,
training and skills development of local businesses,
individuals, children, disabled persons, rehabilitated
drug-users and ex-convicts during construction. This
integrated the community into the very fabric of the
institution and redefined the legacy and service of
healthcare in South Africa. The estimated population
of 432,462 people that will be served by this hospital
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is a mix from different communities and of different
socio-economic status. The hospital will have a total
of 230 beds, and the design will allow for future
expansion to 300 beds.
The project has made use of environmentally-
friendly and sustainable materials and the
orientation of the building has been such so as
to maximise on-site views and natural sunlight.
Various interventions have been employed to
reduce the carbon footprint and costs, as well as
conserve energy, such as the use of time switches
and movement and daylight sensors to avoid
unnecessary burning of lights.
Developer:
Western Cape Provincial Government;
Department of Public Works;
Department of Health
Architects:
Magqwaka Associates Architects;
Munnik Visser Architects;
New Era Architects
Project Managers: Stauch Vorster Architects
Quantity Surveyors:
Mahlati Quantity Surveyors; SIBA
Structural Engineers: BSP Consulting Engineers
Civil Engineers: Hatch Goba
Mechanical Engineers:
BMDS Consulting Engineers; NAKO Triocon
Electrical Engineers: Jakoet & Associates;
NAKO Triocon
Fire Consultants: Keith Fletcher & Associates
Sustainable Consultants: Amathemba
Environmental Management Consulting;
C2C Consulting Engineers;
TKLA Landscape Architect
Others: Cecily Rocher Design; Lovell Friedman
SAPOA Awards