Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa January/February 2015 | Page 55

Matlosana Mall, bringing their expertise as
landlords and developers, along with the
backing to make this project a reality.
The project had to be developed as a
one story building with basement parking
constructed under the ground floor of the
west wing, using the natural fall of the site. The
lower level parking had to be cross ventilated
and easily accessible.
Philosophy
There is a perennial debate within the
Architectural community in terms of how a
project is contextualised to its surrounding
environment. The ‘International style’ has
created buildings that can be placed almost in
any part of the world - buildings often without
a sense of belonging.
This approach can create a rupture
between community and building but, on
the other hand ,there is the risk of creating
a blend of ethnic architectural stereotypes,

Matlosana Mall

which end up being a caricature of the history
and neighbouring community.
SVA’s philosophy for Matlosana Mall was to
use a contemporary design interpretation of
the context with references to anthropological
and historical elements through the use of
clean simple lines.
The region of Matlosana is known for its rich
cultural diversity. Early BaTswana communities
in the area were known for their pottery and
basket weaving, as well as for being very
welcoming people. They constructed circular
village layouts with circular domed huts as
their unit. Sotho communities were known for
their metalworking, and early Voortrekkers
in the 1800’s are remembered for their
timberwork and curved steel wagons.
This amalgamation of cultures gave the
designers the elements of Matlosana’s
architectural language. Matlosana Mall has
created a modern interpretation of ancestral
buildings in the form of a timber slated

Developed by Redefine,
this super-regional
mall brings worldclass shopping to the
Klerksdorp area

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