Project Description

In June 2013 the Department of Higher Education and Training launched an architectural competition for the design of a new university for the Northern Cape Province, to be constructed in the city of Kimberley. The brief was to design a mixed use building that will accommodate retail, academic facilities, administration offices and hostels. The challenge for the architects was to design a building that responds to an existing urban design framework that will integrate the new development with the existing city fabric. Furthermore it was expected to design a building that will respond to the historic, cultural and climatic aspects of Kimberley and the Northern Cape region as well as to create a study and social environment that will include all groups of society. A total of approximately 60 entries were received and Wilkinson Architects, in joint venture with Mashilo Lambrechts Architects and GXY Architects, were announced the winners as part of a design team of 5 architect firms.