location : Umlazi , Durban, kzn completion : May 2016 building area : 6000 sqm client : Mangosuthu University of Technology
Details
1. The building is nested on a very steep site within the university campus masterplan , has a gradient of approximately 1:4 due north and south. The southern part of the site has ambient views to university playing fields and the north faces the university circulation spine and the library where there is a lot of activity.
2. The northern side opens to the food, beverage and retail support environment and there are two floors down the slope comprising of dining halls, offices, the gymnasium and radio station.
3. The western side is cocooned from the afternoon sun by a concrete course leading from the top part of the side of the building to the viewing grand stands down the slope. This acts as a smart natural thick protective skin of the building.
4. The architecture used is complimentary, sympathetic to the environment, user- friendly , financially sound and marries the outdoor and indoor life of the students just like a hand fitting into the glove.
5. The southern side opens out onto the natural non -direct light , clinically frames the expansive views to the playgrounds and has external stairs that acts viewing decks.
6. The eastern side welcomes the filtered morning light to the offices and dining areas and remains cool from midday to afternoon.
7. The canteen (split in two levels linked with a double volume) is bathed in a natural light that floods from the north, from the centrally positioned skylights and non-direct light from the south.
8. The building is the epicentre, the heart of the student life of the campus ,a great place to mingle, dine, exercise and entertain.
