Calling Academy Stellenbosch, Western Cape school, South African Modern Architecture, Photos

Calling Academy Stellenbosch in Western Cape

3 July 2024

Design: SALT Architects

Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape Province, South Africa

Calling Academy Stellenbosch Western Cape SA

Photos: Southland Photography – David Savage

Calling Academy Stellenbosch, South Africa

Calling Education, a pioneering non-profit organization dedicated to transforming education in South Africa, proudly announces the expansion of its flagship campus, Calling Academy Stellenbosch. This project exemplifies how high-quality educational environments can be created with minimal resources, illustrating to learners from low-income communities that opportunity and achievement are not solely dependent on monetary value.

Calling Academy Western Cape

Maximizing value and efficiency
The expansion at Calling Academy Stellenbosch is a masterclass in maximizing value from minimal resources. By utilizing familiar, cost-effective materials in innovative ways, the project demonstrates that excellence is achievable even with budget constraints in the context of government schools in South Africa often struggling to provide high-quality education due to limited resources. Calling Education aims to bridge this gap with a model that offers top-tier private education to low-income learners. Prioritizing the quality of education above all else, the project operated on a very tight budget.

Calling Academy Stellenbosch Western Cape SA Calling Academy Western Cape

In 2021, the total cost for the 850-square-meter addition—which includes a laboratory, classroom, administrative areas, staff room, and counseling room—amounted to just $214,203. This translates to approximately $282 per square meter, including covered terraces, or $560 per square meter for walled areas only.

Calling Academy Stellenbosch Western Cape SA Calling Academy Stellenbosch Western Cape SA

Design and material selection
The addition was meticulously designed to optimize value, whilst maintaining cost-effectiveness through flexibility and use of locally manufactured and recycled materials. The exclusive selection of affordable materials included concrete block walls, power-floated concrete floors, and a pine roof structure with concrete roof tiles. A pleasant learning environment with optimal natural lighting and acoustic qualities was created with polycarbonate tiles and OSB ceilings. Materials recycled from other building sites in the area were repurposed in the project, and all sanitary ware was donated from an office renovation in town.

Calling Academy Western Cape

Savings were maintained by keeping the building footprint small, with efficient room layouts lined with terraces acting as wide outdoor thresholds and usable space. The addition, positioned between the original school and football field, also serves as an assembly space and covered sports pavilion. Another multi-purpose design feature includes a flexible divider between the staffroom and classroom, converting it into a venue with seating for 150 people, presenting an income generating event space for school and community functions.

Calling Academy Stellenbosch Western Cape SA

The eastern façade, marked by a concrete-block screen with three openings, creates a welcoming threshold space that blurs indoor and outdoor boundaries. This foyer connects visitors, teachers, and learners, clarifying the institution’s new front façade and providing orientation.

Calling Academy Stellenbosch Western Cape

Calling Academy Stellenbosch Western Cape

By seamlessly blending functional, flexible spaces with the natural beauty of the site, the project enhances the learning environment. The new additions create a series of courtyards and outdoor spaces, offering learners places to pause, spectate, linger, or congregate.

Calling Academy Stellenbosch Western Cape

Calling Academy Stellenbosch Western Cape

The expansion of Calling Academy Stellenbosch underscores Calling Education’s mission to provide high-quality, affordable education to learners from low-income communities. By leveraging innovative design and sustainable practices, the project maximizes value and efficiency, setting a new standard for educational environments in South Africa. This project not only addresses the immediate needs of the school, but also inspires future developments in the educational sector.

Calling Academy Western Cape

Calling Academy Western Cape

Calling Academy Stellenbosch in Western Cape, SA – Building Information

Architecture: SALT Architects – https://www.saltarchitects.co.za/, Gustav Roberts, Architect

Concrete roof tiles: BMI Coverland
Translucent roof tiles: BMI Coverland
Lighting: Spazio fittings with light level simulations by LED Lighting SA
Internal timber doors: Custom made Supawood door leafs and Meranti door frames by Multi Homes Joinery
Aluminium Doors & Windows: Wispeco profiles by Aluscience
Ceilings: 18mm OSB board; 40mm Isoboard
Sanitary ware: Re-used fittings received as a donation

Calling Academy Western Cape

About SALT Architects
SALT Architects is a design studio based in Cape Town, pursuing Imagination, Humility, and Commitment as core values, toward Innovating Meaningful Possibilities.

The optimistic team provides innovative solutions, while remaining contextually and conceptually relevant. The office is experienced in all stages of a project’s development, from conceptual design to completed construction. They pursue work on a variety of building types and sizes, ensuring an inquisitive approach to allow opportunities to advance traditional patterns.

SALT Architects are committed to designing memorable buildings delivered through effective project management.

Calling Academy Stellenbosch Western Cape

Photographer: Southland Photography – David Savage

Calling Academy Stellenbosch, Western Cape, SA images / information received 030724

Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

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