Curro Durbanville Highschool

Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht

Curro Durbanville Highschool 

BPAS Architects

ARCHITECTS
Bpas Architects

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Kls Consulting Engineers

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Kls Consulting Engineers

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Landseer Collen

INTERIOR DESIGN
B-sense, Orc

QUANTITY SURVEYOR
Calcoli

MANUFACTURERS
Geberit, Corobrik, Flowcrete, Polyflor, Rako, Regent, Saint-gobain, Dormakaba, African Hardwood, C.e.l, Catermarket, Cobra, Façade Projects, Gp Koning, Grit Procurement, Go Green, Harris Electrical, Isoboard, Lecico, Owa, +4

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Cndv Landscape Architects

CIVIL ENGINEERING
Kls Consulting Engineers 

IMPLEMENTATION TEAM MEMBERS
Petré Bester, Charl Van Der Westhuizen, Cuan Stephens

ACOUSTIC ENGINEERING
Mackenzie-hoy

PROJECT ARCHITECTS
Theo Gutter

AUDIO VISUAL CONSULTANT
Pjk

MAIN CONTRACTOR
Mnk Projects

AREA
8865 M²

YEAR
2022 

LOCATION
Cape Town, South Africa

CATEGORY
High School

Text description provided by architect.

Located to the northeast of Durbanville in the Western Cape, the site forms part of the larger urban plan for the Phesantekraal area.

Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht
Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht

The brief called for a high-quality innovative school with a range of cultural and sports facilities. It was important that the design process was not isolated to a single author.

The scheme came together through a collaborative engagement with learners, teachers, and other consultants.

Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht
Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht

Inspiration was drawn from the surrounding landscape and the mountains in the distance, the color of the canola fields, and the materiality of existing structures located on and around the site. The design emits an exciting take on form, texture, and scale.

Learning achieved through interactions is the basis of how a child develops. This is the essence of The Third Teacher.

Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht
Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht

Its principles can be summarised as follows: Firstly, interactions with the adults in their lives (parents and teachers), secondly with peers, and thirdly through interaction with their surrounding environment – the physical space in which learners mature becomes The Third Teacher.

The design aims to capture and promote the value of The Third Teacher in its layout, spatial qualities and finishes to create a positive, stimulating educational environment.

Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht
Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht

The U-shaped building footprint frames the southern corner of the site, which formulates a forecourt defined by the auditorium and hall on either side.

It ‘embraces’ the learners and visitors as they enter, while also acting as a protective buffer from the elements.

Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht
Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht

A direct visual connection to the main entrance makes wayfinding easier for users. The conventional ‘school typology’ consisting of classrooms that are framed by four walls was challenged with the concept of constant interaction between spaces.

The classes become permeable and adaptive with furniture, such as combinable tables, designed specifically for the hybrid and flexible use of each space.

Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht
Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht
Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht

Diversity is emphasized through juxtaposed slanted columns and colors in this dynamic atrium learning space, embracing difference and uniqueness in a collective and safe environment.

Usually, the classroom is inclusive and private, the hall and passages are semi-private, and the playground is a public space.

Now, an art classroom opens into an atrium that can be turned into a gallery or exhibition area, also sharing space with the cafeteria.

Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht
Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht

The cafeteria has a practical kitchen which is used for consumer studies by the hospitality learners. The consumer studies classroom is linked to the cafeteria as well.

This type of design provides flexibility and hybrid use, essential for a school that will always be adapting to future needs.

Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht
Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht

Patterned brickwork acts as a wayfinding method at entrances while contributing to the aesthetics of the building.

The auditorium is clad in sheet metal which forms a prominent node at the main entrance.

Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht
Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht

Off-shutter concrete roofs link the program components (auditorium, classroom spaces, and hall). This finish is pulled through to the interiors and complimented with the warmth of natural wood elements.

Overall, the school responds to the site through its sustainability considerations and non-stylized architecture.

Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht
Curro Durbanville Highschool
© Burger Engelbrecht

Ultimately, the building’s success relies on the successful incorporation of its users, shifting from conventional to flexible and interactive learning spaces.


Curro Durbanville Highschool
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Curro Durbanville Highschool
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Curro Durbanville Highschool
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Curro Durbanville Highschool
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Curro Durbanville Highschool
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Curro Durbanville Highschool
Elevation
Curro Durbanville Highschool
Elevation
Curro Durbanville Highschool
Elevation
Curro Durbanville Highschool
Elevation
Curro Durbanville Highschool
Elevation


Curro Durbanville Highschool
Plan - Ground Floor
Curro Durbanville Highschool
Plan - 1st Floor
Curro Durbanville Highschool
Plan - Roof