OTHER DEVELOPMENT WINNER
Steyn City Clubhouse
Steyn City promises a lifestyle that is in tune with
nature, and when it came to the design of the Steyn City
Clubhouse, the owner gave the Architects the daunting
challenge of hiding the building and reducing its scale.
Boogertman + Partners rose to the challenge by breaking
the stereotypical boundaries of clubhouse architecture
and creating a building that seemingly ‘disappears’ into
the Highveld landscape rather than pretentiously
dominating it.
Previously an abandoned quarry that was left vacant,
the brief was to have as little impact on the site as
possible. The aim was to integrate the building with its
surroundings and the indigenous landscape, as well as
to create architecture that is responsive and sensitive
while still being functional and sustainable. The goal was
to explore the boundaries of what is currently perceived
as clubhouse architecture and re-establish the benchmark.
The grassland sweeps over the architecture, and it in
turn merges with its surroundings by exploiting the slope
of the land to intentionally reduce its scale. The
fragmentation of the building components enhances its
connection with nature by juxtaposing the buildings
organic shapes with the highveld landscape. This
achieves a harmonious symbiosis between nature and
the architecture which nestles within it. Using a rather
unconventional cladding of Gabion Baskets filled with
the rocks from the excavation, the exterior of the building
mimics gigantic rocks pulled apart to create ‘fissures’
that reveal the functionality of the building.
Not only aesthetically pleasing, the landscaped
concrete roof helps to regulate the thermal mass as it
SAPOA Awards
absorbs solar energy during the day and then shifts the
load entering through the roof at night when the rest of
the external loads are not present.
The activated concrete slab for the clubhouse lounge
also acts as thermal storage and removes the peak
cooling load of the west facing façade. This system is
also more energy efficient than cooling/heating with an
air based system when the doors are open.
This allows the passive ventilation system to function
optimally and allow for the building’s heating and cooling
to be drastically reduced and evolve from traditional
HVAC systems.
The building is a constant reminder of the relationship
to nature by taking the user to the edge where the
connection with nature is apparent and unavoidable. The
architecture for the Steyn City golf club house achieves
within the city, a harmony and continuity with nature.
Project Managers: Metrum Project Management
Architects: Boogertman + Partners
Quantity Suveyors: Brian Heineberg and Associates
Structural Engineers: Pure Consulting Engineers
Mechanical Engineers: Spoormaker and Partners
Electrical Engineers: CKR Consulting Engineers
Wet Services Engineers:
GK Pereira amalgamated with Sutherland
Fire Consultants: SFT Consultants
Landscape Architects: Insite Landscape Architects
Interior Designers: DSGN
Main Contractor: Gothic Construction
Photography: Studio 88 Photography
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