University of Mpumalanga

Preface One of two of South Africa’s new post-apartheid institutions of higher learning, the planned University of Mpumalanga was envisaged as a symbol of a new order of democracy, inclusiveness, growth and opportunity. Situated amidst the key agricultural processing hub for north-eastern South Africa, The ‘’Hub of Excellence’’ as an aggregated component of the new University of Mpumalanga was one of the first building sets that underpinned its academic focus and heralded its transformation from an agricultural training institution to that of a University. The ‘’Hub Of Excellence’’ Conceptualized, planned, structured, prioritized, integrated and ordered amidst a network of extant structures to serve and expand a new national need, the creation of the ‘’Hub of Excellence‘’ draws from the individuality of the pre-existing agricultural buildings to formulate an expression of academic focus and completeness, to become a unique site of learning and culture rooted in the African experience, an innovative modality of ‘’transformation’’ into a reality of reshaped identity. Immediate thoughts and emotions confirmed the need to preserve and transform the existing structures, to salvage that which may otherwise be lost, and re-shape it into something that was relevant and meaningful, an articulated and defined pathway towards a new order. Negotiating the need to retain and the need to change Pre-intervention, the existing buildings were located on three distinct platforms at varied levels and were in use as agricultural training facilities, workshops, packaging sheds and ablution facilities. The extant buildings were inherently industrial in nature and generally composed of concrete framed structures with brick infill and sheet metal gambrel roofs on steel support structures. Faced with the challenge to retain or change, central concerns and issues arose in terms of academic vision and spatial direction, of being complimentary and synergistic whilst remaining contextual and relevant. Decisions had to be taken in relation to the design, management and implementation that had to be geared towards optimal sustainability. The complex relationship of ‘’Function’’ became the central generator in the re-arrangement and manipulation of the existing forms. Quality and sensitivity in the design approach – discover, create and deliver Careful analysis of the context and sympathetic interpretation of the existing elements led to a diversified design approach and solution. The existing structures were ‘’stripped’’ of their industrial component skins where warranted and new divisions of space were fashioned around pockets of amenities and permeability to reinforce movement and flow in a reciprocal relationship reminiscent of an African weave. A new order of horizontal and vertical hierarchy was established according to the needs as dictated by the space requirements. This was made possible by the availability of volumetric height within the existing structures that allowed for the creation of mezzanine space with minimal impact on the existing structures. New work responded to context in terms of scale, grain, form, siting, character, detailing, and colour. In particular, the careful consideration of height and setback were crucial in designing for a better fit. The siting of additions and new buildings were sympathetic to the existing siting pattern and landscape with the existing courtyard space being re-invented and energised. Views and natural features were retained whilst the new landscape elements and planting schemes were chosen to relate to the height, form and character of existing elements. The existing landscape was left relatively untouched.