Steel Construction Vol 40 No 1 - Architecturally Exposed Steel | Page 16

SAISC PROJECTS

Tshwane Rapid Transit Stations

Steel played a major part to fulfil the client’s vision to create a public space in which its users
still feel connected to their surroundings. This is not an underground tube station but a covered
communal space, filled with light and natural ventilation. The station functions as a
transparent, temporary meeting place that links the history of the city to the present.

E

ach of the individual Tshwane BRT
stations is unique but clearly
recognisable as a Tshwane BRT
station marker. The TRT lines are
intended to make public transport easy,
regenerate certain urban areas and bring
people back into the city. One of the other
main driving factors in the design of these
stations was to make it user friendly and
accessible to all, with a specific emphasis on
the usability for those with disabilities.
Steel played a major part to fulfil the client’s
vision to create a public space in which its
users still feel connected to their
surroundings. This is not an underground
tube station but a covered communal space,
filled with light and natural ventilation. The
station functions as a transparent, temporary
meeting place that links the history of the city
to the present.
Elements of the station such as handrails,
security screens, signage, enclosing walls and
platforms are designed with the potential to
become artworks at stations in locations
identified as having either historical, tourist or
commercial value.
The vertical element (Totem) positioned at all
station entrances is another defining feature

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Steel Construction Vol. 40 No. 1 2016

of this project and acts as a branding element,
signature of the TRT system, location device
and another way to bring art to the public.
Retro Tram Stations
The Retro Tram station was designed to be a
representation of the character and history of
the Tshwane environment. In addition it
draws inspiration from the historical public
transport systems of Pretoria. Formalised
public transport in Pretoria began in 1896
with horse-drawn trams. These were replaced
by electric trams in 1910, while trams were
replaced by buses in 1935. The new station
was specifically inspired by the historic trams
but also reminiscent of other modes of public
transport such as trains and busses.
The station is essentially a single space
covered by a curved roof and enclosed by a
transparent glass wall system. It is designed to
allow the passengers to have an
uninterrupted clean view of the ‘outside’.
The station finishes are selected from a
palette of locally sourced, hardwearing,
durable, natural and low maintenance
materials including face brick, concrete,
stainless or galvanized steel, energy efficient
glass and powder coated or natural anodised

aluminium. These materials and their
colours are chosen to suite the historical
context, urban environment or the natural
colour pallet of the variety of station
locations along the routes.
Steel is integral in the design of the Retro
Tram station. The entire structural

BELOW: Retro Tram Station.
OPPOSITE PAGE: The Memory Box Station.