+IMPACT MAGAZINE ISSUE 23

PROJECT
Dana Allen
South African Council
for the Architectural Profession
The newly built Lapalala Wilderness School
achieved a Net Zero – Level 2 rating in 2022.
BUILDING A SAFE HOUSE
direct sunlight. The intention of these structures is to
manipulate the sun to create comfortable outdoor seating
environments for the students, because the educators also
make use of these outdoor courtyard and amphitheatre
spaces.” Not only are the pergolas highly functional, but
they also allow for shadow play across the walls, much
like trees to the earth.
The walls reflect the colour of the earth surrounding
the campus – because it comes from here, says Makhokha:
“When we were excavating to set up the platform, we
harvested soil and kept it in storage, hoping to use it one
way or another, and when the idea of ramming the wall came
into play, we utilised the soil.” At first, they wanted to use it
for just a few walls, but in the end, they became a statement
piece throughout the campus. This is something Makhokha
believes to be of great value in teaching sustainable practices
in Limpopo. Houses in this region are traditionally built
in the same manner, but to a lesser degree. The school
conducts environmental programmes for approximately
3 000 children annually, most of them from the Waterberg
region. According to Makhokha, they can identify with this
technique. “It’s something we’ve grown up with – in my
traditional language of tshi-Venda, this is called thidelo.
The people who work with us in the area, the si Pedi, call
No person can erect a building/house without approved building plans prepared by a registered
architectural professional.
Any member of the public who erects a building/house without approved building plan prepared by
registered architectural professional is considered guilt of an offence.
A member of the public will also suffer losses because the building will be demolished.
Furthermore, a person who is not registered with the South African Council for the architectural
profession (SACAP) will not be able to advise a member of the public not to build a house on a site
which is subject to flooding or does not drain properly.
A building plan prepared by a person who is not registered will be dangerous to
Lapalala Wilderness School
The walls reflect the colour of the earth
surrounding the campus – because it
comes from here.
To check if your architectural profession
is registered contact SACAP on:
Tel: 011 479 5000
Email: info@sacapsa.com
51 Wessel Road, Rivonia Sandton,2128
The school’s site, in an area of untouched
bushveld alongside the Palala river, was without
any municipal supply or basic services.
POSITIVE IMPACT ISSUE 23
37