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 FIND OUT MORE Thermal Metering FIND OUT MORE Integrated Design FIND OUT MORE Steel FIND OUT MORE Concrete during construction FIND OUT MORE Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) FIND OUT MORE Domestic hot water FIND OUT MORE Generator emissions FIND OUT MORE Glazing FIND OUT MORE External shading FIND OUT MORE Electric and Hybrid Vehicles FIND OUT MORE Motorcycles and Scooters FIND OUT MORE Cyclist facilities FIND OUT MORE Stairs FIND OUT MORE Low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) FIND OUT MORE Solar Photovoltaic (PV) FIND OUT MORE Roof insulation FIND OUT MORE Acoustic comfort FIND OUT MORE Atrium Clerestory Windows FIND OUT MORE Indoor air quality FIND OUT MORE Waste & recycling FIND OUT MORE Low flow plumbing fittings FIND OUT MORE Rainwater capture and reuse FIND OUT MORE External lighting FIND OUT MORE Blinds & glare protection FIND OUT MORE Internal lighting FIND OUT MORE Daylight FIND OUT MORE Operable Doors FIND OUT MORE Thermally active building structure (TABS) FIND OUT MORE Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) System FIND OUT MORE Water Metering FIND OUT MORE Energy Metering FIND OUT MORE Atrium roof structure FIND OUT MORE Atrium Roof Glass FIND OUT MORE Green wall FIND OUT MORE External landscaping FIND OUT MORE Formaldehyde Minimisation FIND OUT MORE

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