SA: Department of Education Head Office
The Department of Education’s (DOE) request for a new headquarters was partially motivated by operational difficulties, experienced by a split of staff and functions between three separate buildings in Pretoria’s CBD.
The location of the DOE head office in this CBD area of Tshwane (Pretoria) will be another step in establishing of a government boulevard. Prior to the recent development of the National Library, the Civitas Building, and the new DOE head office along Struben Street, the site’s surrounding urban fabric suffered from lack of viable activity and investment being mostly populated with small-scale shops, second-hand car dealerships and historical / monumental buildings.
The portrayal of the building is of critical importance in reflecting a positive image of the DOE and the country to local and foreign visitors. A truly South African response in the design of the building, the environmental conditions and use of locally produced materials were imperative in the design.
“The inclusive design really gets people into ‘action’. It is not a building where one can just come and go secretly. One’s movement through the building is very public both internally and externally. This design is a strategy to promote integration in the organisation and to get people communicating.” says Guy Steenekamp of TPS Architects.
DESIGN
After decades of maintaining a veil of secrecy on the activities of government, the era of clandestine operations in government buildings are coming to an end. The DOE is in transition from a hierarchical system that unilaterally separates its functions, to a system more open, transparent, and inclusive in its nature. Hence, it became important for this new value to reflect in the design of the new building.
Upon moving into the new R650 million head office in March 2010, the Department of Basic Education will have a modern, sleek and proudly South African design that contributes to the city’s plan of creating a ‘government boulevard’ of official buildings leading up to the Union Buildings.
For example, the DOE’s previous building had limited open-plan office accommodation and viable inter-floor communication, hence inhibiting team-working environment as the staff is separated into cellular offices in buildings that are deemed impeding and unattractive in comparison to private sector office buildings.
The architects strategically placed private/public facilities and spaces where there is a seamless transition from full, limited to restricted access. Utilising a progression of spaces from the street, to an internal public courtyard, to the entrance foyer of the core building, there is a complete journey from the public to private realm for all visitors/users.
Recognising the importance of government buildings reflecting the virtues of the country, use of locally produced materials were imperative to the building’s theme. The façades are made of facebrick with natural stone accents plaster finishes, and glazing, which ties in well with the ambit of contemporary Pretoria architecture, while reflecting the broad skill and manufacturing base of the region.
The building’s structure is designed in tandem with many ‘A’ grade and corporate office developments. Similarly, the building’s services reflect a value-engineered approach to design for longevity and performance. The structural dimensions reflect a 50-year approach to the design, which is envisaged to accommodate all foreseeable upgrades and retrofits to be added after the initial build.
THE LAYOUT
Comprising 30 000m2, the U-shaped building has office wings arranged along three sides of the south facing atrium that assists with deep penetration of natural light into office wings. The atrium houses the central core structure, which is the primary vertical circulation component for the main entrance and reception.
The three-storey, stone-cladded cone structure’s design is expressed in dramatic effect with panels of glazing puncturing the massive structure allowing views into the atrium and of the office floors beyond.
Bridges emanating from various levels of the core provides access to all office wings’ reception points. Having each wing with dedicated reception and service cores facilitates rapid communication between the department’s various functions.
It also creates a friendly environment for visitors, increasing their ability of liaising with the people they are looking for. Clustered around each reception are meeting rooms, pause areas, tea and ablution facilities. All which enhances the visitor’s experience and acts as an operational hub to each wing.
Overall the main building has four floors above ground, two basement parking levels, bulk stores, delivery entrance, as well as a VIP and disabled parking accommodation. Additionally, a detached roof over the atrium space protects the outdoor areas below from weather elements.
The National Examinations block is housed in the wing on the eastern flank and is linked to the main building on all floors. A dedicated vertical circulation and service core are provided for this block, which eases with its operation of setting, printing, storing and distributing exam papers for the entire country.
This block has been designed with social interactions in mind, as it has a raised atrium usable for social gatherings.
Public Square
The main entrance from Struben Street greets visitors/users with a large public square. Entering the site from this side one is met with an expansive courtyard with a porte cochère and water feature highlighting the building’s main entrance.
The western flank of the courtyard is outlined by the single-storey structures of the conference facility and historical Jansen House. The eastern side is defined by the National Examinations building.
This space has limited access of which the general public is privy to certain facilities such as an on-site restaurant and the 250-seater conference facility. This reveals the ideal of transparency is reflected not only in the building’s design, but in the orientation of space approaching the building, which is welcoming and inclusive. Having dedicated places of public participation in the private domain all within the confines of the courtyard, serves to break down the prevailing notion of government institutions as exclusive, esoteric and impervious.
Sustainability
Featured windows on the façades exhibit the shapes of squares, triangles and circles, which playfully allude to the educational function of the building. Larger glazed areas on the north and west elevations are shaded or have specialist glazing for protection against penetrating sunlight and heat gain.
Furthering energy-efficiency, the reduction in glass area and the heat absorbent masonry façades ensure that summer heat gain and winter heat loss are minimised.
FIT FOR ROYALTY
Though most of the building is very public and open, there are portions that allow necessary privacy. The positioning of the ministerial suites are afforded more privacy as there are sensitivities with their position that must be secured. The ministerial suite, for the Minister, Deputy Minister and Director-General, is located on the top floor of the west wing. In addition to this location having broader view of Tshwane.
For security purposes, this suite is linked to the V.I.P. basement parking area by a dedicated lift. The ministry will also have a private dining room, serviced by a private kitchen, which allows for hosting as well as meeting in comfort and seclusion.
Bringing it back home
In addition to the direct benefits the head office provides as a new government building, for the architectural fraternity, it adds to the growing confidence in uniquely, home-grown building designs, which the architects and citizens can be proud of.
PROJECT TEAM
| Client | Department of Education |
| Private Party | Sethekgo Private Party PTY Ltd |
| Sethekgo Development Manager | Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments (OMIGPI) |
| Sethekgo Project Manager | OMIGPI and Term Project Management |
| Facility Managers (Operations Subcontractor) | Tirasano Facilities Management (OMIGPI and Drake & Skull Facilities Management) |
| Department of Education Technical Advisor | Turner & Townsend |
| Lender | Standard Bank and Old Mutual Specialised Finance |
| Lender Technical Advisor | Stewart Scott International |
| Independent Certifier | BKS (PTY) Ltd Engineering and Management |
| Design & Construct Sub-Contractor (joint venture) | Fikile Construction, Group Five Building, Makhosi Infrastructure |
| Architects | TPS Architects, Motse LMI Architects |
| Space Planning and interior design | Facets Interiors |
| Civil & Structural Engineers (joint venture) | PD Naidoo Goba Consultants |
| Rational Fire Design | Building Code Consultants |
| Electrical Installation (joint venture) | Standard Electrical Thlobello ElectricalVela VKE Engineers |
| HVAC Installation (joint venture) | Cold Air Bokamoso Spoormaker & Partners |
| Wet Services Installation | Modern Plumbing WSP Engineers |
| Security Installation> | Westec Security |
| ITC Infrastructure Installation | Dimension Data |
