PROJECT Salt Architects landscaped pedestrian routes that connect faculties through continuous social spaces.
A stepped atrium along the northern façade elevates this public space, ending in a planted roof terrace that defines the building’ s silhouette and reaffirms the eastern entrance as its symbolic focal point.
Apart from its technical flaws, the Arts and Social Sciences Building in its current state fails to support the social, spatial, and symbolic roles that define a university environment. Its monumental size dominates rather than connects with the campus, while vehicle-focused circulation and parking hinder pedestrian movement and social engagement.
Key urban edges, such as the corner of Merriman and Ryneveld Streets, are disconnected and uninviting, and internally, the expansive 1980s floorplate isolates users and reduces access to natural light and passive climate control.
The proposal repositions the building within its urban and social surroundings, transforming it from a passive object into an active centre of interaction.
At the Merriman – Ryneveld corner, a new public square extends to the entrance with level access, using the university’ s distinctive red clay paving to integrate smoothly into the campus network. Consolidated parking along Andringa Street provides ample,
Internally, circulation is reimagined as a fluid, lightfilled system along the northern edge – replacing corridors with connected, sunlit zones that enhance spatial clarity, comfort, and collaboration.
Evolving from the urban scale to the architectural details, these interventions transform the building into a socially and environmentally responsive landmark that reflects the university’ s identity and aspirations.
The proposed interventions, both inside and around the building, seek to turn these limitations into opportunities.
By reaffirming the building’ s civic presence, promoting social and ecological engagement, and implementing a thoughtful internal circulation strategy, the project positions the structure as a landmark not only in its scale but also in its ability to support knowledge, community, and sustainability on campus. ■
Ed ' s note: While a contender, Salt Architects did not win the appointment to redesign Stellenbosch University ' s Arts and Social Sciences Building.
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