Heideveld Primary School in Heideveld, Western Cape recently received a colourful make-over, which involved an entire new school being designed and built.

Meyer & Associates Architects were briefed to design a new school as part of the Department of Basic Education’s Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) Programme to replace the existing dilapidated school buildings.

The complete renovation of the school has taken almost two years: project briefing and design started in July 2012 and construction started on 11 March, 2013 with Phase One of the project being completed on 27 August, 2014 and Phase Two nearing completion in November 2014.

The new school building

The new school buildings include 23 new classrooms, four Grade R classrooms, four specialist classrooms, a computer lab, a media centre, as well as an art and music room.

In addition, a new school hall accommodates a feeding kitchen and is lined by the administration building with staff room and offices on the perimeter of the space.

“Corobrik Bergendal Satin Light face brick was a good choice of product and ideally suited to the modern, uncluttered design of Heideveld Primary School,” explained Christie van Niekerk, Corobrik Manager Western Cape.

Taking into account the harsh natural environment of the Cape Flats, Van Niekerk adds that the face brick’s attractive warm colour, low maintenance and durability will ensure that the school will endure and remain an exciting place of learning for generations of students in the years to come.

In total, Corobrik supplied: 438 000 ROKlite plaster bricks; 208 000 Bergendal Satin Light FBS face bricks; 16 500 73mm Wheatstone Pavers PBand 26 000 50mm Wheatstone Dark Pavers PB.

Simplistic design

Simplicity was key to the design and minimalist perimeter blocks are broken and contrasted by creative elements which have specific functions and significance, including: a timber entrance canopy and screen walls with circular opening detail all coded in bright colours which confront the rigidity of the classroom blocks.

Van Niekerk confirmed that the use of Corobrik face and clay brick products was aesthetic, environment and budget driven. “The durability, resistance to fire and natural sound proofing qualities as well as the earthy palette and textures of clay face brick walls significantly reduces maintenance costs.”