DEPT. OF NATURE CONSERVATION
UNIVERSITY OF MPUMALANGA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURE CONSERVATION University of Mpumalanga
ARCHITECT Ikemeleng Architects
QUANTITY SURVEYOR Siyakha Quantity Surveyors
CIVIL ENGINEERS GMH Engineers Tswelopele Consulting Engineers
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Calliper Engineers
ELECTRICAL & FIRE ENGINEER PLP Consulting Engineers
MECHANICAL & WET SERVICES ENGINEER Muteo Consulting
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT KWP Create
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT Taktho Environmental Strategy
HEALTH & SAFETY CONSULTANT Roamik
MAIN CONTRACTOR Trencon Construction
PHOTOGRAPHY Courtesy of Ikemeleng Architects
Situated on the newly established West Campus of the University of Mpumalanga in Mbombela, the building was commissioned to support the institution’ s growing academic needs. The brief called for a purpose-designed facility to accommodate lecture venues, laboratories, and administrative offices for academic and support staff, all dedicated to the Nature Conservation Programme within the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.
Design Concept and Façade Design The building derives its form from the notion of a series of horizontal geological strata, exposed by erosion, and is expressed by three dominant brick bands projecting from the upper floors. These bands are visually separated by continuous aluminium ribbon windows, which flood the interior with natural light, while emphasising the linear stratification. The strata rest on rock-like volumes that house the lecture venues, grounding the architectural narrative in a dialogue between landscape and learning.
A series of cave-like voids are hollowed out in the façades, offering shade and shelter from the hot Mpumalanga sun. The outer façades of the building are conceived as a hard shell, protecting the softer inner sanctum of the internal courtyard. This concept is given architectural expression by the more solid façades and harder materiality of the
Simple in form, yet rich in intent, the building quietly integrates with its context while offering purposeful spaces for learning and collaboration
50 Nature Conservation