Ithemba Labantu Youth Centre by Design Space Africa

SYNOPSIS

Designed by Design Space Africa (one of the South African practices behind the sandbag house), the Ithemba Labantu Youth Centre is a vibrant structure catering to children within the Ithemba Labantu Community Center. Its bold colour palette and striking geometry, help it stand out within the complex and endear it to the users.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The youth centre is a double storey 212sq. m building that forms part of the iThemba Labantu Community Centre Complex. The concept of the building was to create a playful, child-friendly environment where children would feel welcomed to spend time there after school hours.

The building wraps around a courtyard shaded by a tree where children can safely play, read and do homework.  The roof structure was inspired by the common children’s game, “pick up sticks”, again, relating back to youthfulness and play. A vibrant palette of colours and variation in window size and height further adds to the youthful environment. A punctured balustrade filled with colourful perspex provides view points into the courtyard.

Facilities include four multi-purpose classrooms in varying sizes, a computer room, ablutions, locker space for storing children’s belonging and a shaded corridor framing the courtyard.

PROJECT DETAILS

  • CLIENT: iThemba Labantu
  • PROJECT VALUE: R3,5mil
  • COMPLETION: March 2016
  • ADDRESS: New Eisleben Road, Philippi, Cape Town
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