Sustainable by design 2050

Visitors' Centre for Twyfelfontein World Heritage Rock Art Site

Architect

Nina Maritz Architects and Dennis McDonald

Engineers/Specialists

Urich Consulting Engineers (civil-structural), Emcon (electrical-mechanical), De Leeuw Namibia Quantity Surveyors, Quaternary Research Services (archaeologist)

Location

Africa - South Africa - Namibia

Climate Zone

arid

Design status

build

Date of completion

2005

Type

Museum

Building Costs

50000 EUR

Cooling / Heating-System

Completely naturally ventilated. Walls act as rock store to preserve cool night air. Stack effect  in day. In winter, north-facing verandah traps heat for slow release. 

Use of renewable ressources - low tech

natural cross ventilation, use of high thermal mass

Use of renewable ressources - high tech

photovoltaics

Renewable, recycled, recyclable and innovative materials

Completely cement-free. Walling is natural rock in gabions, recycled steel drums for roof-sheets, handmade reed ceiling, locally made claybrick packed floor, handmade steel roofstructure. Composting toilets.

Key Sustainability aspects

solar building integration, vernacular building strategies, public spaces, accessability for disabled, renewable building materials, recycling and reuse, ecological building materials, innovative bulding materials, integrated planning process, participation of users in planning process, low cost design

Sustainability rated

No

Social and ethical responsibility

The site guides (from the local community) have been formally employed (previously relied on tips from tourists) and trained professionally. This centre rpovides almost the only formal employment in a radius of 100 kilometres, apart from private tourist establishments). 

Ressource efficiency and environmental impact

Completely reversible building, using minimal materials brought to site. No materials that off-gas or contain any harmful chemicals at all. 

Economic lifecycle perfomance

Extermely durable, virtually indestructable, but can be demounted compeltely if circumstances require. 

Contextual performance and impact

Remotely located at primary tourism destination indanger of serious environmental damage. Centre acts as control point to ensure that Heritage sites are protected, and vistors informed in discreet and sensitive way. Dramatic increase invisitor numbers yet total reduction of site damage.