The site is regulated by both the urban and the local scale. From the urban perspective we are proposing an interaction with the new urban situation imposed by the Gautrain project. On a local scale we propose to integrate the cultural and commercial activities through a designed public space.
The concept design develops from the idea of transforming the natural slope of the site into active terraces. It is through the manipulation of these levels that the integration of the urban and the local scale, the commercial proposal, busy Smit St as well as the arts exposition activities and the public space is achieved.
The lower terrace is defined by the activities along Smit St. This is where the proposed petrol station is located and it interacts with the new parking building as well as with the pedestrian traffic.
The middle level is reachable by Juta St and by broad stairs from Smit St. This level is dominated by a public plaza, which interacts with the city and offers an area of open exhibition to the college.
The intention behind this plaza is twofold: on the one hand it has an integrative character and forms an extension for the commercial activities of the western building and the exhibition centre. On the other hand it serves as a public space and resting area that offers respite from the busy Smit St (and maybe place of leisure for the Gautrain passengers).
The highest terrace, to the northern edge of the site, will cater for the conference activities of the college. This manifests in the form of three blocks connected to the exhibition centre by transport bridges.
Three patio areas are defined between the conference towers, which will serve as tranquil areas of expansion for the conference/class activities.
