s k i l l s [ d e v e l o p m e n t ] c e n t r e
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN [THREE] - A SIGN OF HOPE
It should be designed to improve the skills of employees, employers and the community. Practical and advanced skills for the professional world. Intricate detail design to alllow for undisrupted movement through the site. Site must be active throughout the entire year. Must act as a communal interface for the DTI building, National Department of Tourism and Police Headquarters. Allow for movement towards routes between surrounding buildings to escape from busy streets.
URBAN DESIGN _ The site is located next to the DTI building, National Department of Tourism and Police headquarters. It is is also close to a large amount of residential housing projects.
_ The skills that need to be taught will be clearly indicated, as these are the current street life imformalities that are using the site. When the shops on the site close up, the surrounding buildings (Flats, Holiday-Inn) become active after hours.
_ A proposal that the Soup Kitchen to the north of the site to be relocated into one of the designed rooms to serve its main purpose to a bigger group of under privalleged people, with improved equipment and security conditions. The old house can be remodelled and serve as accomodation for the supervisor or caretaker.
_ Nelson Mandela Drive divides the CBD from Sunnyside and Hatfield area. Nelson Mandela Drive is the main road entrance into the city. The buildings on this street is in the process of being renovated. Walkways that link up with the DTI building next to Nelson Mandela Drive will attract a larger group of visitors and create a mini-campus.
_ The west side of the National Department of Tourism to be pedestrianized and propose a new pedestrian entrance on the North entrance of Sunnyside Holiday-Inn.
_ The Gautrain bus route system stops at Hamilton street, east of Jeppe street, two streets west of Nelson Mandela Drive in Prinsloo street, a different bus route is issuated. It is proposed that these two routes should meet up at the proposed site, seeing as there is an existing drop-off point. An attempt to create movement routes between existing buildings and away from busy streets to avoid high traffic, noise and accident zones.
_ The police department will be highly active on this site to act as a visual safety stimmulator. They will too be invited to offer classes in self defense, safety, human right, etc.
DESIGN _ The transport node is celebrated and together with the NDT building’s monopicth roof, it becomes strong design catalysts. With state of the art technologies being used the building will have a low economical and enviromental impact.
_ The building was placed as an L shape in the back of the site: Firstly to prevent noise polution from the street to disturb ongoing classes. Secondly it creates a larger green courtyard on the edge of the site, where moving pedestrians on the edge of the site is not surrounded by man-made objects, but is in touch with nature and enjoys the equil balance of different sounds. Thirdly it mimics the design on the DTI building, with internal buffer zones and quiet green spaces for each individual. It also does not turn its back on the adjacent buildings, but creates safe and controlled walking areas. The site has a height restriction of six storeys.
AVAILABLE SERVICES _
Drop-off point_includes the re-route of the Gautrain bus route system and controlled taxi services
Gautrain information centre_with ticket booth, ATMs and waiting area.
Public bathrooms_is secure, controlled and cleaned
Restaurant_professional restaurant and relocated ‘Kruisweg koffiehuis’
Community hall_a flexible floor space for enrollment, lectures, waiting area, etc.
Computer literacy_includes training to repair computers
Arts and crafts_all pieces can be exhibited in either of the exhibition spaces
Dance studio_to create cultural awareness through many art forms
Exhibition space_to tell a story of the place, house artifacts, etc.
Story tree for children_a outside classroom to allow for a comfortable and informal class to children
LANDSCAPE _ Softened corner. It will be an green corner to allow for escape from the harsh street edges. As too it will filter pedestrains into the building or across the street.
_‘Story tree for children’ is a outside classroom to allow for alot more interaction with nature and not be inclosed within four walls.
_Path behind Police Headquarters with stormwater channel, can be improved and allow movement on both sides of the street_A clear split between walkway and the street edge.