DESCRIPTION

The commission involved amending a previously approved, yet unbuilt, 9-story building on the Bo-Kaap side of Buitengracht Street in Cape Town. The new owner wished to stay within the parameters of the height and bulk of the previous approval while improving certain aspects of the design. Given full creative freedom as a competition entry, the focus was on addressing the identified shortcomings of the existing approval.

Three crucial aspects were identified to enhance the design. Firstly, the building needed to better address the grain of its context, ensuring a harmonious integration with the surrounding urban fabric. Secondly, it was important to create a more engaging and active street edge, fostering a vibrant connection with the pedestrian environment. Lastly, the street view of a National Heritage Site on an adjacent property needed to be showcased and not obstructed.

To address these goals, the proposed design introduced a visual corridor in the form of an art gallery located in front of the curvilinear parapet-style building. This approach ensured that the street view of the adjacent National Heritage Site remained unobstructed, allowing its significance to be appreciated by the passersby. The art gallery not only acted as a visual buffer but also contributed to an engaging and active street edge, attracting pedestrians and creating a sense of cultural vibrancy.

By incorporating the art gallery in the foreground, the design established a more nuanced relationship with the surrounding context. The curvilinear parapet-style building behind acted as a backdrop, respecting the height and bulk parameters of the previous approval while providing a visually interesting element.

The introduction of the art gallery as a visual corridor achieved these goals, resulting in a design that responds to the urban fabric, engages with the pedestrian realm, and showcases the cultural heritage of the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood.