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The Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika Building at the University of Cape Town

Situated at UCT’s Middle Campus, the building is home to the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika. The space is dedicated to the teaching and learning of design thinking where bright ideas for a better future are born – for you, for Afrika, for life.

Designed for design thinking

frame and
re-frame

By constantly adjusting your focus and perspective, you begin to see the problem space in a different light. This leads you to finding more holistic and sustainable solutions.

Purposefully designed to leverage the power of space in its architecture and interior design, the building was designed by KMH Architects using design thinking principles. This process itself was collaborative and inclusive, leveraging the discipline’s focus on co-creation.

As a result, the architects, students and faculty members were a part of the brief guiding the building’s design approach, thereby fostering collaboration, creativity, and innovation from the outset of the project.

The building features radically flexible learning spaces where we can experiment and collaborate to both understand and allow for the emergence of what future learning spaces could look like, and become.

Engineered for maximum functionality through various sustainable measures within its design, the building has received a 6-star rating by the Green Building Council South Africa.

Awards and Certifications

The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA)

  • 11 September 2023
  • 6-Star Design Certificate

The GBCSA Annual Awards

  • 16 September 2023
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SAPOA Property Development Awards for Innovative Excellence

  • September 2023
  • Innovation Award
  • Sustainability Award
  • Overall Award
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The South African 80Institution of Civil Engineering

  • 7 September 2023
  • Technical Excellence Project of the Year (LEAF Structures)
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The SAISC Steel Awards

  • 19 October 2023
  • Best Western Cape Project Winner (KMH Architects)
  • Architecturally Exposed Steelwork Project Commendation (KMH Architects)
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BUILDINGFEATURES

Carpooling and public transport

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Thermal Metering

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Integrated Design

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Steel

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Concrete during construction

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Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)

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Domestic hot water

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Generator emissions

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Glazing

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External shading

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Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

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Motorcycles and Scooters

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Cyclist facilities

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Stairs

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Low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

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Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

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Roof insulation

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Acoustic comfort

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Atrium Clerestory Windows

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Indoor air quality

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Waste & recycling

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Low flow plumbing fittings

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Rainwater capture and reuse

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External lighting

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Blinds & glare protection

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Internal lighting

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Daylight

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Operable Doors

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Thermally active building structure (TABS)

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Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) System

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Water Metering

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Energy Metering

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Atrium roof structure

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Atrium Roof Glass

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Green wall

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External landscaping

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Formaldehyde Minimisation

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