Additions to Calling Academy Stellenbosch

Calling Academy is a Non Profit Organization, with the vision to provide quality education to low income learners. The brief called for much needed additional accommodation on an existing site realized with a shoestring budget.

A prominent continuous concrete-block screen as Eastern façade announces the new addition to the Stellenbosch campus upon arrival. Positioned between the original school building and the sports field the permeable screen creates a circulation spine dappled in varying patterns of light alongside the new additions, all tucked under a large tiled terracotta coloured roof. The roof deepens at the southern end of the building to create a generous verandah overlooking the sport field and scenic surroundings.

Programmatically the new section accommodates a reception, staff room and ablutions, principal office, boardroom, strong room, classroom, library and counselling room in the main pavilion leading to the verandah. A science lab and store room is positioned to the north at the entrance to the new addition.

The spatial configuration of the programme is adaptable and functionality overlaps in areas to ensure spaces are utilized at all times. A stacking divider between the classroom and staff room offers the opportunity to create a larger space for events or indoor assembly. The versatile verandah space serves as a spectator pavilion (step-sized seating leads down to the sports field), assembly area and overflow space for adjacent rooms. A high level skylight floods the interior areas with natural light, and Oriented Strand Board ceilings and interior panels add tactile warmth and acoustic support.

Various outdoor levels and volumes – roofed and unroofed – in between built forms create vital courtyards and outdoor spaces for learners and staff to linger. The project is exemplary in creating spatial richness with limited means. The architectural articulation of pliable indoor and outdoor spaces, undulating roof volumes and the innovative use of a restricted pallet of raw materials creates a sense of generosity and resourcefulness, enriching the learning environment to contribute to the Academy’s commitment to deliver excellent education in an inspiring setting.