African Design Magazine February 2017 | Page 13

African project Stats SA – South Africa
language established by these graphs is carried through to the treatment of the DPC , and is sympathetic to the Heritage Court buildings .
The surrounding hills and ridges of the Tshwane area are also echoed in this graph-like form . The landscape planning echoes the theme of representing statistics in the African landscape , and combines a language of strokes across the site : from the graph-like marks of the gabion walls , to the re-opening of the well in the Heritage Court , and the re-establishment of the footpaths that inscribe the earth with a history of routes and information .
Drum : Communication , Creation , and Sharing The brief required the inclusion of a drum . Drums have been used for centuries in many cultures for the communication of news , the calling of peoples to gather , and of course as a musical instrument engaged in artistic expression . A powerful African symbol , the drum has been used as a central architectural element which represents the heart of the Department ’ s executive staff , and the role of Department in communicating knowledge and understanding , with national coverage and global interest . The Drum of the Main Building stands angled at the main entrance on the northern side of the campus , at once marking the site , and inviting staff and visitors alike to gather . From here remarkable views are possible to and from the city , and news and understanding of the work done at Stats SA is disseminated to the city and the world around .
The use of a drum symbol of communication on this site resonates with the history of this location which was known as Timeball Hill and Signal Hill because of its function of signalling from its peak the arrival of the mail trains from the colonies into Pretoria station . From its early occupation this site has been used to communicate the notion of news and information dissemination -