Client
Construction Value
Department of Works
R19 million
Siphisihle High School
Inchanga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Completed
Ruben Reddy Architects was tasked to assess and upgrade the existing Siphesihle High School and to provide new facilities in accordance with the Department of Education's accommodation schedule. The scope of work entailed the demolition and removal of the existing administration and ablution blocks and other unused structures and the building of a new administration block over the footprint of the old building as well as a new classroom wing with a total of 9 new classrooms. Two new two-storey buildings and an ablution block have been built on the site and some of the existing buildings have been retained, repaired and upgraded. Where possible materials still in good condition have been re-purposed and re-used.
Aiming for the highest green rating possible, an additional aspect of the project included the future sustainability of the building from a ‘green’ perspective. The intention was to make it as comfortable as possible without compromising the budget. This was achieved through the use of Polyblock, a thermally insulated product used in the construction of the walls.
Other green star implementations included aerated tap fittings, toilets with half flush options, self subsistent 'dry' toilets for the learners (using a new engineered system) and rain water harvesting using 2 x 5 000 litre rainwater tanks. Monopitched roofs, with large overhangs, contributed to the shading/ cooling factor.
