• Outside recreation spaces including a protected courtyard , shaded spaces and lawn area . Generally , the client required that the appearance interpreted a learning environment with a relevant aesthetic appearance referencing the context and local environment .
The Site The site consists of two areas , the first is a level area on a higher platform of the site for building activities and the remainder is a soft falling site to the east suitable for parking . The orientation of the buildings is predominantly north / south facing . The heights of the buildings are confined to a maximum of three levels on the most northern part of the site and two levels on the remaining portions due to Air Force Base requirements . The ground conditions are dolomitic resulting in many stormwater and sewerage disposal requirements to be adhered to , including surface drainage and a two-pipe HDPE dual containment underground piping system . The site is located on the harsh highveld dolomitic conditions and therefore the buildings are grouped together for protection of users against heat , cold and wind . The buildings are arranged around a central courtyard .
Circulation The courtyard and entrance axes are pedestrian orientated with vehicular access and circulation on the perimeter . Buildings were confined to a specific area on site due to dolomitic ground conditions and the surface parking is placed on a suitable portion of property which falls away from campus buildings . Vehicles have access to the workshops from the rear and therefore are out of sight from the main campus spaces . The various building typologies are connected with a colonnade planned around the courtyard .
Courtyard Design The courtyard and colonnade are designed as a link between useable space and pedestrian movement . The courtyard / colonnade forms a unifying architectural element for the different building functions , e . g ., classrooms , workshops , recreation , ablutions , admin , and services . The colonnade provides protection against harsh climate in the winter and summer months as well as the noise from busy streets and the neighbouring air force base .
Façade The concrete structure of columns , lintels and copings is left exposed and facebrick is used as a facing with aesthetic detailing . Plastered brickwork is used as an economic infill material in a secondary role to concrete and facebrick . The windows have been designed on horizontal strips interspersed with vertical fins and columns .
Windows and solid walls are staggered between floors to maximise the aesthetic but also enable
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