Co-architects: Savage and Dodd Architects

University campuses not only have a rich heritage of buildings developed over time, but their missions provide fertile ground for the development of a critical practice of architecture. The historical Skeen stadium on the West campus of Wits forms the social heart of the campus and the new Maths and Science precint. The precinct includes undergraduate Science laboratories and teaching spaces (completed in 2012) the new recently completed Mathematical Sciences building and will in the future also contain additional cafeteria and library spaces.

The Mathematical Sciences building forms a major piece of the puzzle for the completion of the precinct which is mostly built to retain the historical footprint of the stadium and the historical context around the Tower of Light. The programmatic requirement of +\-14 000 m2 bulk was based on the amalgamation of five mathematics schools into one mathematical sciences faculty. This included offices for 250 academics, teaching labs for over 1000 students and associated staff and student facilities. A new library has also been planned as a future phase.

The design challenge was to accommodate the required bulk into the Universities desired curvilinear footprint commemorating the old stadium race track as has been done with the Science laboratories and also to fit into the overall campus Masterplan. Due consideration has also been given to the campus urban plan in designing the building in relation to creating and reinforcing enclosure, enhancing routes and gateways, promenades and vistas. Internally the building had to provide a balance between providing interstitial spaces that encourage formal and informal interaction and more secluded spaces for concentrated research activities.

The design strategy on the west edge has been to re-create the sense of the sweeping movement of the stadium curve through a series of inflexions created by rotating straight lines. On the other edges the building was massed to create open courts and to create bookends that frame the historical buildings. All massing, proportions, materials and finishes were all chosen after a visual survey of the various campus buildings built over time.

Ultimately the desire was to create a contemporary building that resonates with and enhances the identity of Wits, particularly of the west campus not only for now but long into the future.