Barnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects

Barnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects - Image 2 of 26Barnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects - Interior Photography, Windows, Facade, HandrailBarnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects - Interior Photography, Windows, FacadeBarnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects - Interior Photography, Wood, Windows, FacadeBarnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects - More Images+ 21

Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  22658 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019
  • Photographs
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  AutoDesk, Adobe, Amorim, Aveng, Corobrik, Dulux, Smartstone, Tile Toria, Union Tiles
  • Lead Architect: Anne Graupner, Paul Devenish, Thorsten Deckler
Barnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade, Handrail
© David Southwood

Text description provided by the architects. This extension to a student residence clips into the existing building’s infrastructure to provide an additional 150+ rooms. Open walkways, views into existing trees, the sound of water from a nearby pond and carefully scaled courtyards provide an airy and bright counterpoint to the double loaded corridors and inward focusing character of the existing building.

Barnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade
© David Southwood
Barnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects - Image 18 of 26
Floor Plan - Site
Barnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects - Interior Photography, Windows, Facade, Handrail
© Nic Huisman

With a national shortfall of 250 000 beds (according to the Department of Higher Education) this project demonstrates a way to deliver policy compliant accommodation whilst breathing new life into existing facilities. The Barnato extension was delivered for 30% less than a new-build residence by carefully integrating it with the existing building.

Barnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects - Interior Photography, Wood, Windows, Facade
© Nic Huisman

Façade concept: Nationwide protests and debates regarding access to education and decolonisation prompted us to explore a new institutional identity for the extension to the fort-like building named after a major colonial randlord. The strict budget meant using off-the-shelf, low maintenance materials and keeping the form of the new buildings as simple as possible. In contrast, the new brick skin was envisaged as a beautiful, richly-textured quilt. Special bricks, sourced from local Corobrik yards, are inter-woven with a standard brick, complementing the existing building. 

Barnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects - Image 6 of 26
© Nic Huisman

Known as ‘under the tree’ bricks, these specials are left-overs of commissioned ranges that could be acquired at a substantially lower cost. The facades present an unexpected blending of existing textures and colours, rooting the extension to its particular place on campus. By sharing the design values, arranging training and maintaining close, hands-on quality control, we could establish a productive dialogue with the brick supplier, main contractor and bricklayers. Differences are often used to divide people. The quilt of ‘odd-bin’ bricks celebrates diversity and the unique creativity that can be bred under constraint.

Barnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects - Interior Photography, Handrail
© Nic Huisman

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Project location

Address:University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Barnato Hall Addition Phase 1 / 26’10 south Architects" [Dormitórios estudantis Barnato Fase 1 / 26’10 south Architects] 05 Apr 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/914214/barnato-hall-addition-26-10-south-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

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