University of Pretoria Mining Study Centre
Award-winning engineering upgrades Mining Industry Study Centre
Growth in South Africa’s mining industry is reliant on generating an adequate skills base of well-qualified engineering graduates, and there was concern about the relatively low interest in the industry among students.
To help rectify the situation, the University of Pretoria decided to upgrade its 40-year-old Mining Industry Study Centre at its School of Engineering.
A project was initiated to purposefully design a place for engineering students to work after hours and to work on group projects.
The university developed the upgraded centre and commissioned a design by ARC Architects. Zutari was appointed to provide civil, structural, and wet services engineering for the project.
A new structure was planned and designed to accommodate approximately 800 students, using a previously unexploited space at the existing Engineering 1 Building’s street level. Consisting mainly of an arched roof and mezzanine floor, it added an additional 3,000 m² to the building.
The centre has been widely regarded as an excellent example of the ability of skilful engineering to provide durable, aesthetically pleasing structural solutions that maximise the use of available space.
The highly successful and innovative use of a suspended ceiling enabled the challenging timeframe and budget limitations to be achieved. The centre has been widely regarded as an excellent example of the ability of skilful engineering to provide durable, aesthetically pleasing structural solutions that maximise the use of available space.
The upgraded centre won the prize for “Overall best innovation merit – best refurbishment” at the 2014 South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) International Property Convention and Exhibition Awards.
*The Aurecon Africa business has been officially renamed Zutari as at 21 July 2020. Zutari acquired Aurecon Middle East on 20 November 2020.
