Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa March/April 2014 | Page 7

NEWSWORTHY
SAVING SOUTH AFRICA’S
MANAGED FORESTS

V&A UNVEILS PLANS FOR THE HISTORIC GRAIN SILO COMPLEX
Imagine forty-two 33 metre high concrete tubes each with a diameter of 5.5m, with
no open space to experience the volume from within. Imagine redesigning this into a
functional space that will not only pay tribute to its original industrial design and soul,
but will become a major, not-for-profit cultural institution housing the most significant
collection of contemporary art from Africa and its Diaspora.
The brief given to Heatherwick Studio was to reimagine the Grain Silo Complex at the
V&A Waterfront with an architectural intervention inspired by its own historic character.
The project called for a solution that would be unique for Africa and create the highest
possible quality of exhibition space for the work displayed inside.
The V&A Waterfront’s challenge to repurpose what was once the tallest building on the
Cape Town skyline caught the imagination of internationally acclaimed designer, Thomas
Heatherwick, and his innovative team of architects.
The R500-million redevelopment project will retain and honour the historic fabric and
soul of the building while transforming the interior into a unique, cutting-edge space to
house the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA). Considered the
most extensive and representative collection of contemporary art from Africa, the Zeitz
Collection has been gifted in perpetuity to this non-profit institution by ex-Puma CEO and
Chairman, Jochen Zeitz. The collection will be showcased in 9,500m2 of custom-designed
space spread over nine floors, of which 6,000 m2 will be dedicated exhibition space.
Heatherwick Studio, based in London, is recognised internationally for projects
including the UK Pavilion