SA MARITIME SCHOOL & TRANSPORT COLLEGE
Due to the
Engineer: Hulme and Associates
Contractor: Brice Construction
My Design
The SA Maritime School is an independent tertiary educational college. Courses include freight handling, shipping practice, trade and transport, customs and freight logistics, and sailing. The school has branches in Durban, Johannesburg and now, Cape Town.
The Maritime School purchased an existing building that dated from the 1920's. Originally built as a bank, it has a combination of Classical and Art Deco features, but had also undergone a few unsightly additions and alterations that altered the original integrity of the building. Our clients required that the building be turned into a modern educational facility which could accommodate two main classrooms of 60 learners at a time with ongoing teaching shifts throughout the day and a computer room. In addition to these main teaching areas, other requirements were:staff offices, a staff room and kitchen, a staff flatlet, an entrance foyer, student kitchen and recreational areas, student outdoor areas and bathroom facilities.
It was crucial for the school to have one classroom operational withing 6 months of purchasing the building. This facilitated that the project was built in two phases: ground storey- phase 1, and 1st and 2nd storeys - phase 2.
Pre-Design Conditions & Client Needs
Pre-Design Conditions & Client Needs
Due to the tight program, work on the ground storey was undertaken as a matter of priority. The building design needed to accommodate a phased building process which allowed for the completion of the 1st phase while construction of the 2nd phase continued thereafter.
The design at ground floor turned what was originally a large banking hall into Classroom 1, an entrance foyer, staff offices and consulting rooms. Bathrooms were added into what was originally the bank's vault, with almost 1m thick walls.
It was important to design in a way that was compatible with the original architecture and did not compete with it. Value needed to be added to the existing spaces without losing beautiful detail. Where new internal walls and existing plaster mouldings met, frameless glass partitions were used as a modern interface between the two. Generous volumes for new doors and openings were maintained. Existing light fittings were re-used where possible, and the original parquet flooring was also maintained.
After Phase 1 was completed, construction began on Phase 2. This encompassed changes and additions to an existing 1st storey and the addition of a 2nd storey - Classroom 2. The 1st storey had an existing swimming pool, so the outdoor patio area is shared by students and
the flat. The Student kitchen leads out onto this relaxation area. The new computer room was also accommodated on this level.
The 2nd storey addition of Classroom 2 makes the most of the incredible views of the harbour, interesting surrounding building fabric and Table Mountain. The idea was to create a light and airy learning space which borrows imagery from harbours and ships - lightweight steel trusses, cables, rods and expansive views. It was an engineering requirement to keep the structure lightweight, so most of the Classroom is a steel structure with infill panels. Large overhanging roof eaves keep direct sun off the windows for most of the day, and sunscreens (vertical and horizontal) also help with maintaining shaded windows. A covered outdoor space at first floor looks down on the pool patio below.
The completed building is a synthesis of old and new, functioning well as a modern facility for young learners.
Engineer: Hulme and Associates
Contractor: Brice Construction
The SA Maritime School is an independent tertiary educational college. Courses include freight handling, shipping practice, trade and transport, customs and freight logistics, and sailing. The school has branches in Durban, Johannesburg and now, Cape Town.
The Maritime School purchased an existing building in Woodstock that dated from the 1920's. Originally built as a bank, it has a combination of Classical and Art Deco features, but had also undergone a few unsightly additions and alterations that altered the original integrity of the building. Our clients required that the building be turned into a modern educational facility which could accommodate two main classrooms of 60 learners at a time with ongoing teaching shifts throughout the day, as well as a computer room. In addition to these main teaching areas, other requirements were: staff offices, staff room and kitchen, a staff flat, an entrance foyer, student kitchen and recreational areas, student outdoor areas and bathroom facilities.
It was crucial for the school to have one classroom operational within 6 months of purchasing the building. This facilitated that the project was built in two phases: ground storey- phase 1, and 1st and 2nd storeys - phase 2. Brice Construction completed both phases over the course of a year and a half.
My Design
