Civic Building: Offices
Sector
Civic
CBD, KZN
Year
2021
Design Lead
SC
Client
Public Organization
The architectural language of this Eco-Building Research Facility is defined by environmental performance and structural honesty. The design uses its form to demonstrate sustainable principles, acting as a "living laboratory" where the building itself is the primary research tool.
The building uses a bold, geometric language to respond to its surroundings:
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The Sloping Green Roof: A massive, angled plane serves as both a thermal insulator and a landscape extension. This creates a literal connection between the ground and the building’s upper levels.
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Perforated Skin: The white triangular "screens" on the facade act as a functional ornament, providing solar shading while maintaining views and natural light for the internal research spaces.
Movement through the facility is designed to be a transparent experience:
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The External Ramp: A prominent, grass-lined ramp on the exterior allows researchers and visitors to transition between levels outdoors, emphasizing a life lived in contact with nature.
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The Helical Core: A glass-encased spiral staircase serves as a "vertical spine," making the act of moving through the building a visual centerpiece that connects different research departments.
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Elevated Walkways: Suspended bridges link distinct building masses, allowing for air circulation between structures and creating dynamic viewpoints of the facility’s operations.
