PROJECT FEATURE
ENGINEERING
BUILDING, UCT
ENGINEERING BUILDING
UCT
CLIENT
University of Cape Town
ARCHITECTS
SAOTA
PROJECT MANAGERS
Msingi Project & Development Management
LMC Project Management
QUANTITY SURVEYORS
LDM
TOWN PLANNER
MLH Architects & Planners
STRUCTURAL & CIVIL
Sutherland Engineering
MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL/
WET SERVICES/LIFT
SolutionStation Consulting Engineers
RATIONAL FIRE DESIGN
Keith Fletcher & Associates
ENVIRONMENTAL
Ecosense
HEALTH & SAFETY
Solid State
A
n innovative architectural design solution by SAOTA delivers a contemporary
complex facility in an environment which is steeped in both history and tradition
as well as rapid transformation. The university is currently engaged in an extensive
development and transformation programme which, given its size and rapid growth,
demanded serious financial, spatial and implementation considerations.
ARCHITECT’S REPORT
The two buildings that were redesigned are the New Engineering Building (NEB) and
adjacent Teaching and Learning Building (TLB) which are located on the south-western
edge of the historic Upper Campus of the University of Cape Town.
Two of Cape Town’s prominent mountain peaks, Devil’s Peak and McClear’s Beacon,
are prominent features towards the west, with the campus and city towards the east and
False Bay towards the south. Upper Campus building vocabulary and proportions underlie
the architecture, but are reinterpreted and expressed in a more contemporary way.
Inspired by mountains behind (and the tectonic movement that created them), the
external walls are expressed as heavy plates that delaminate towards the south, opening
the internal spaces towards the mountain views, allowing new connections to be made to
the campus fabric and landscape. The prevalent UCT hipped, tiled roof is deconstructed
and expressed as planes that float over the traditionally rendered walls.
The accommodation addresses the needs of office, teaching, lecturing and laboratory
space, equipment and service space, as well as a dedicated level for advanced post
graduate research.
GREEN CONSULTANT
Agama Energy
LANDSCAPING
MALA
LABORATORY DESIGN/FURNITURE
Barbara du Toit & Associates
ENERGY MODELLING
TF Design
LAND SURVEYORS
Jennings Goullee Thomson (Cape Survey)
PHOTOGRAPHY
Adam Letch
The exterior finishes include
the obligatory university plaster
and Italian clay roof tiles
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Engineering Building