Ruben Reddy Architects, (Pty) Ltd.

Denis Hurley Centre

DENIS HURLEY CENTRE

 Ruben Reddy Architects

Denis Hurley Centre
© Angela Buckland Photography

ARCHITECTS
Ruben Reddy Architects

LOCATION
2 Cathedral Road, Durban, 4001, South Africa

CATEGORY
Community Center

PROJECT YEAR
2014

QUANTITY SURVEYORS
Aecom

PHOTOGRAPHS
Angela Buckland Photography

Denis Hurley Centre
© Angela Buckland Photography

Text description provided by architect.

Located in the vibrant city centre of Durban, South Africa, a few steps from Warwick Triangle and close to several liberation heritage sites such as the Juma Musjid (Mosque) the Denis Hurley Centre was conceived as a contemporary facility to uplift and serve the community - a welcoming refuge to all, regardless of background, faith or nationality.

The building’s diverse and multifunctional character reflects the complexity, vibrancy and dynamism of the context and its users - giving hope and aid to those most in need and a living memorial in honour of a great Archbishop.

Denis Hurley Centre
© Angela Buckland Photography
Denis Hurley Centre
© Angela Buckland Photography

The Denis Hurley Centre is on a small and complex site, triangular in shape with 0m building lines and adjacent to a heritage icon - Emmanuel Cathedral.

All of these factors provided design inspiration, resulting in a contemporary building that is highly responsive to its context, climate and community.

Denis Hurley Centre
© Angela Buckland Photography
Denis Hurley Centre
© Angela Buckland Photography

Utilising the nature of the triangular site to create interconnected spaces around a centralised atrium, the design of the building reinforces the Denis Hurley Centre’s aim for an integrated community space, open to all.

The atrium brings natural light to all circulation spaces within the building, thereby improving their spatial quality. It serves as the lung of the building by providing natural ventilation to most internal spaces.

Denis Hurley Centre
© Angela Buckland Photography
Denis Hurley Centre
© Angela Buckland Photography

The building envelope has been designed to act as a breathable skin, maximising natural light and natural ventilation, whilst protecting it from direct sun penetration.

Exaggerating the thickness of the exterior walls, to create a deep recess for long narrow windows, allows for passive solar control along the eastern, northern and western facades - resulting in a cool building throughout the year with minimal mechanical climate control.

Denis Hurley Centre
© Angela Buckland Photography
Denis Hurley Centre
© Angela Buckland Photography

The southern façade maximises the view of the adjacent Emmanuel Cathedral from inside the centre. The highly reflective curtain wall creates subtle reflections of the Cathedral, bringing contemporary and heritage architecture together in harmony.

The building envelope is modulated with a clear vertical rhythm in response to the building context and in particular, to the monumental proximity of Emmanuel Cathedral.

Denis Hurley Centre
© Angela Buckland Photography


Denis Hurley Centre
Section 1
Denis Hurley Centre
Section 2


Denis Hurley Centre
Diagram First Floor Plan
Denis Hurley Centre
Diagram Ground Floor Plan
Denis Hurley Centre
Diagram Third Floor Plan
Denis Hurley Centre
Diagram Second Floor Plan


Denis Hurley Centre
Ground Floor Plan
Denis Hurley Centre
First Floor Plan
Denis Hurley Centre
Third Floor Plan
Denis Hurley Centre
Second Floor Plan
Denis Hurley Centre
Site Plan

Ruben Reddy Architects, (Pty) Ltd.
T +27 31 3016122
Ruben Reddy Architects, (Pty) Ltd.
641 Peter Mokaba Ridge Road Essenwood, Berea, Durban, 4001, South Africa