Mankgaile Primary School Limpopo, Education Building South Africa

Mankgaile Primary School : Limpopo Building

South African Education Building – design by SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects

2 Apr 2012

Mankgaile Primary School Limpopo

Location: Limpopo, South Africa

Design: SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects

Cape Town-based architectural practice SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects has completed the ‘Mankgaile Primary School‘ for a rural village outside the city of Polokwane in Limpopo, South Africa.

Sponsored by PetroSA, this school commands the focal position in the village and replaces a very rudimentary set of dilapidated buildings.

“Being the most important building in the village and as it is used as the village community centre, place of gathering, functions and sporting events it was felt that the building needed to have a presence and a stature for the community. A formal and symmetrical arrangement was felt to be most appropriate to reinforce this aspect,” says Stefan Antoni.

The main entrance is placed at the end of a linear spine which arranges the central public square and two open air classroom courtyards containing nine rooms on two levels. Open air double story volumes are capped with a pergola of latte (Eucalyptus sticks) supported by a colonnade of steel posts to provide shade from the strong afternoon sun.

The light is filtered creating dappled patterns through the outdoor corridors. Restroom facilities are easily accessed during school and after school events.

photos : SAOTA

The main material for the school is a maintenance free face brick almost identical in colour to that of the earth. “Accents are achieved using plaster – in many places painted quite a dark mud colour and others hand carved.

Steel is kept minimal, light and white and adds a delicate touch to what is essentially quite a large building,” says Project Architect & Partner Greg Truen. The detailing was kept uncomplicated. The school was built largely by members of the community to an impressively high standard.

Mankgaile Primary School Limpopo – Building Information

Project Name: Mankgaile Primary School
Location: Limpopo
Architects: SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects
Project Team: Stefan Antoni & Greg Truen
Completion Date: 2006
Award: South African Institute of Architects Merit Award in 2006

Photographs: SAOTA

Mankgaile Primary School Limpopo images / information from SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects

SAOTA Architects

Location: Mankgaile, Limpopo, South Africa

Schools