The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus recently celebrated the completion of the new Lecture Hall Complex as part of the official academic opening that took place on 23 February 2023.
Positioned at the heart of the campus and designed by multi-award-winning architects Mathews & Associates Architects, the building, comprises four lecture halls – three 252-seaters and one 386-seater – providing a total of 1 142 seats. The building has added 22% more capacity on the campus.
The facility, including the lecture halls and ablutions, covers 1 775m2, and approximately 469 115 bricks were used.
Principal architect at Mathews & Associates Architects, Pieter J Mathews, said practical considerations and the materiality of the existing context informed the architectural language of the complex.
“The design concurrently draws on South Africa’s rich tradition of masonry construction and the skills of local craftsmen. Although strong reference is made to the surrounding buildings, the design seeks to establish a new architectural approach that will firmly communicate the ambitions of the NWU,” he explained.
During the unveiling, Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations, said the new Lecture Hall Complex would make a big difference in addressing the shortage of lecture facilities across the campus.
“Today, we can proudly say that the construction of this facility and those to come forms part of a bigger endeavour – to create a cohesive campus identity that improves our core business and optimises land usage.
“When you tour the new facility, you will note that the buildings are arranged around an open internal courtyard or lekgotla. Large Apiesdoring or monkey thorn trees will provide a cool outside meeting area. This space serves as an entrance ‘foyer’ to the halls and creates a social space where students can gather between lectures. The curvilinear shapes of the halls not only add a sculptural quality to the campus, but also serve an acoustic purpose,” she said.
She said that she hoped many fruitful academic discussions would take place between the new walls.
Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations, unveiled the new Lecture Hall Complex on the campus.
