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Wallenburg Institute | STIAS
Wallenburg Institute | STIAS
Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Wallenburg Institute | STIAS
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2025
SIZE
5000 sqft - 10,000 sqft
BUDGET
Undisclosed
The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) - Wallenburg Institute is located in the historic town centre of Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, within the precinct of the Stellenbosch University.
When STIAS approached VKDB Architecture | Interior in 2023, their brief called for a building as a creative space for the mind.
Quoted from the STIAS Website:
"The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study invests in experts who work across disciplinary borders to tackle issues ranging from health equity to complexity theory, the effects of race to quantum information. In this age of tumultuous change, the development of a long-term view and a critical mass of expertise on a broad range of issues is crucial to the wellbeing of future generations.
STIAS was established in 1999 to provide a ‘creative space for the mind’, a fellowship programme that would advance cross-disciplinary research at the highest level." (credit: https://stias.ac.za/about/welcome/)
VKDB Architecture | Interior designed the existing STIAS - Wallenburg Institute building, constructed in 2007. The success and growing popularity of the Institute led to the desire to expand the accommodation portfolio. We were honoured when STIAS approached us in 2023 to be involved in the additions to the existing building. This resulted in construction during 2024 and 2025.
The corner site is extremely visible, having busy streets to the west and south, a park public open space to the north and the historic farm complex to the east. Our approach was to respect the historical buildings by in no way mimicking them and no new structures were placed within the historical werf walls.
The existing 2007 STIAS building allows for spaces for researchers in all fields - named fellows - to do research and interact formally & informally. This accommodation is complimented by public seminar facilities. The additions comprised of more research space for the fellows, based on the same principles as the existing accommodation and a seamless extension to enlarge the informal interactive spaces.
Similar to the original the design, the extension had to respond to a historical farm complex with an old Manor House, low werf walls and characteristic irrigation furrows. The architecture of the existing complex is one of quiet wall planes where the different internal volumes are reflected on the exterior with various roof levels adding interest to the composition. The materials and finishes respect the traditional buildings, but are contemporary in nature. Materials with texture such as timber is used to enhance a tangible quality and prevent austerity.
The 2024/2025 addition is a new wing that reads as a unit in its own right, while simultaneously resembling the same design ethos of the existing building. The internal spaces of the extension are sympathetic to the proportions and tectonics of the existing, translated into a contemporary architectural language. The extension wing is close to the boundary facing the Jan Marais Park and is dark in colour to dissipate into the natural environment of the park.
In line with the ethos of tertiary educational institutions, the Stellenbosch University has a drive to be on the forefront of technological development, which include environmental responsibility together with green building principles. This strategy involved the appointment of an independent sustainability consultant as part of the professional team to compile a green building target rating and to monitor the execution thereof during construction. This resulted in the building achieving a Net Zero Carbon Level 1 Certification from the Green Building Council of South Africa. The significance of this certification doesn't only relate to the physical components of the building, but also include responsible construction methods being followed while the building was under construction.
Passive design components mostly relate to solar control, insulation and utilising of natural light to create well performing sustainable spaces. Micro-louvres screen the windows from direct sunlight, while adding another layer to the texture of the façade. The depth of offices and spaces were limited to ensure penetration of sufficient natural light into theses spaces. Polystyrene insulation were introduced in the layering of the concrete roof slabs to promote thermal performance.
Active components such air-conditioning and electrical lighting were optimised to compliment the passive systems, while being as efficient as possible to achieve the Net Zero Carbon Level 1 Certification within the guidelines and point scoring system of the Green Building Council of South Africa.
When STIAS approached VKDB Architecture | Interior in 2023, their brief called for a building as a creative space for the mind.
Quoted from the STIAS Website:
"The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study invests in experts who work across disciplinary borders to tackle issues ranging from health equity to complexity theory, the effects of race to quantum information. In this age of tumultuous change, the development of a long-term view and a critical mass of expertise on a broad range of issues is crucial to the wellbeing of future generations.
STIAS was established in 1999 to provide a ‘creative space for the mind’, a fellowship programme that would advance cross-disciplinary research at the highest level." (credit: https://stias.ac.za/about/welcome/)
VKDB Architecture | Interior designed the existing STIAS - Wallenburg Institute building, constructed in 2007. The success and growing popularity of the Institute led to the desire to expand the accommodation portfolio. We were honoured when STIAS approached us in 2023 to be involved in the additions to the existing building. This resulted in construction during 2024 and 2025.
The corner site is extremely visible, having busy streets to the west and south, a park public open space to the north and the historic farm complex to the east. Our approach was to respect the historical buildings by in no way mimicking them and no new structures were placed within the historical werf walls.
The existing 2007 STIAS building allows for spaces for researchers in all fields - named fellows - to do research and interact formally & informally. This accommodation is complimented by public seminar facilities. The additions comprised of more research space for the fellows, based on the same principles as the existing accommodation and a seamless extension to enlarge the informal interactive spaces.
Similar to the original the design, the extension had to respond to a historical farm complex with an old Manor House, low werf walls and characteristic irrigation furrows. The architecture of the existing complex is one of quiet wall planes where the different internal volumes are reflected on the exterior with various roof levels adding interest to the composition. The materials and finishes respect the traditional buildings, but are contemporary in nature. Materials with texture such as timber is used to enhance a tangible quality and prevent austerity.
The 2024/2025 addition is a new wing that reads as a unit in its own right, while simultaneously resembling the same design ethos of the existing building. The internal spaces of the extension are sympathetic to the proportions and tectonics of the existing, translated into a contemporary architectural language. The extension wing is close to the boundary facing the Jan Marais Park and is dark in colour to dissipate into the natural environment of the park.
In line with the ethos of tertiary educational institutions, the Stellenbosch University has a drive to be on the forefront of technological development, which include environmental responsibility together with green building principles. This strategy involved the appointment of an independent sustainability consultant as part of the professional team to compile a green building target rating and to monitor the execution thereof during construction. This resulted in the building achieving a Net Zero Carbon Level 1 Certification from the Green Building Council of South Africa. The significance of this certification doesn't only relate to the physical components of the building, but also include responsible construction methods being followed while the building was under construction.
Passive design components mostly relate to solar control, insulation and utilising of natural light to create well performing sustainable spaces. Micro-louvres screen the windows from direct sunlight, while adding another layer to the texture of the façade. The depth of offices and spaces were limited to ensure penetration of sufficient natural light into theses spaces. Polystyrene insulation were introduced in the layering of the concrete roof slabs to promote thermal performance.
Active components such air-conditioning and electrical lighting were optimised to compliment the passive systems, while being as efficient as possible to achieve the Net Zero Carbon Level 1 Certification within the guidelines and point scoring system of the Green Building Council of South Africa.
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