Architect and Builder February 2017 | Page 15

TSHWANE , SOUTH AFRICA
METAL MESH FOR ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN

STATSSA HEAD OFFICE

TSHWANE , SOUTH AFRICA
The architecture of the new StatsSA Head Office in Tshwane tells a symbolic African story of communication and numeracy throughout history . This symbolism is reflected in the façade . A historic form of communication , the drum , finds form in an outward reaching elliptical building on the solid base of the auditorium below . The highly glazed first and second floors speak clearly of the transparency and openness of the Department and its work . The glazed drum is wrapped with a balcony that both enables wonderful views and shades the windows , and the prominent GKD mesh façade , which incorporates an art installation within the metal strands , providing further glare management .
The aesthetic of the Drum mesh façade is taken through into the Main Building ’ s two northernmost wings on either side of the entrance , embracing the entire built form , and expressing the integration of all the Department ’ s staff and functions in one coherent and unified campus .
011 412 4770 | www . gkd . co . za | cathy . vanblerk @ gkd . co . za