Project: Facilities Management : Decanting Building
Client: Stellenbosch University
Professional Team:
Elements Architecture & Design: Development Planning & Design Project Management
Project Manager & Principle Agent: AL& A Project Management
Architect & Principle Consultant: TV3 Architects and Urban Planners
Quantity Surveyor: Van Wyk Consulting QS
Landscape Architect: Planning Partners
Fire Engineer: STAC Consulting Engineer
Electrical Engineer: CA Du Toit Western Cape (Pty) Ltd
Civil Engineer: SMEC Consulting Engineers
Mechanical Engineer: De Villiers & Moore
Structural Engineer: De Villiers Consulting Engineers
Electronic Engineer: McWilliam Consulting Engineers
Occupational Health & Safety: Safe Working Practice
Bulk Electrical Engineer: RHDHV
Project Description:
One of the biggest challenges of the renewal and upgrade of buildings on the Stellenbosch Campus is to complete the project successfully with minimum disruption of the core function of academic and research.
Due to the scope of upgrade and renewal works within faculties on the Stellenbosch Campus, the need for a decanting facility became of utmost importance, to minimize disruptions and to ensure that core business of academic faculties can continue functioning as per normal.
The need for decanting space will always be present as there will be continued refurbishments of buildings in future where decanting space is required. One of the strategic principles in planning and design is to utilize existing buildings, which will result in refurbishment of existing spaces rather than building new spaces and increasing SU’s carbon footprint.
Stellenbosch University did not have available space that could be used as decanting space, with the result is that decanting space had to be rented at a premium, often too far from the main campus to support academic continuity.
It was therefore financially more viable to build a localized facility with flexible & adaptable spaces with that can be used campus-wide as decanting space. Simultaneously, a new secure, student-friendly parking area reduces private vehicles on central campus creating an intermodal node for the SU Shuttles and NMT routes.
The Decanting Facility serves as landmark and formalized urban gateway to a precinct previously considered peripheral. Adaptability and multifunctionality was required for changing end-users. Supporting the environmentally sustainable masterplan, the roof area is also fitted with a complete photo voltaic installation.
Reception areas, board rooms, open plan working spaces, and individual offices for post-graduates and staff serve the primary schedule, and the interior spaces allow for an open working environment and ease of future changes if required.
The Decanting building itself serves the constantly changing needs of the institution, and serve as a catalyst for the SU masterplan.
