The Elective Student Entertainment Facility by Roelof Rabe
Argitekte is a welcome addition to International Student
Housing at Stellenbosch University. The Facility is located on
the University’s Tygerberg Campus in Bellville, and is adjacent
to the University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, the
Tygerberg Hospital and multiple student residences. The client
required a permanent entertainment area that also serves as
a multi-purpose space for both formal and informal functions.
Having such a separate space also serves as a strategy to
minimise noise to neighbouring student houses from students
socialising and soaking up South African culture.
Photography by Johann Lourens (www.johannlourensphotography.com)
T
he concept behind the Facility as a whole is based on
the International Student’s experience in a foreign
environment, where they need to comply with a
structured system, but still want a unique experience.
To dramatise this concept, the Architects wanted to
create a distorted geometric shape in the courtyard, in
contrast to the uniform, symmetric, existing building.
The key element showcasing the distorted, unique
shape is the roof. The roof structure represents the
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