DESIGN OF NEW KZN MARITIME SCHOOL PROMOTES STUDY-LIFE BALANCE

South Africa’s maritime sector generates billions of rands in earnings each year, promoting economic growth and the creation of jobs in the country. Consequently, it forms an indispensable part of SA’s economy and is a more than worthy career path to explore. This is why the construction of the brand-new Maritime School of Excellence (MSoE) in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), which is due for completion in March 2024, is a big step forward for the country.

Why build a maritime school, one might ask? The MSoE will introduce nautical studies to high school pupils and prepare them for important roles in Southern African ports. Efficient ports are crucial to the maritime industry and the transport economy as a whole.

The MSoE will likely become a leading high school that provides pupils with an understanding of the marine industry, marine and terminal operations, port management, port engineering and supplying high-quality seafarers to the market. It opens avenues to new career options and job opportunities.

The flagship project is funded by the KZN Department of Education and implemented by the Development Bank of SA. The innovative architecture is the work of GIARC Designs and construction is being carried out by GVK-Siya Zama. The project also maximises local employment and procurement, so it will not only benefit school pupils, but will create employment for local labour and contractors.

The MSoE, a first of its kind in the province, provides an environment that is conducive to learning, as well as encouraging a healthy study-life balance. The nautical-themed built structure is designed to facilitate interaction, collaboration, physical activity and access to resources, as well as more cloistered areas for private study and even boarding facilities.

The school accommodates 700 pupils and has boarding facilities for 400 males and females. There are 24 well-lit classrooms and other learning spaces, including laboratories and a state-of-the-art simulation room that will provide pupils with hands-on experience of steering a ship into and out of a port.

Entering the school through gated and gabion-stone walls, one is greeted by a nauticalthemed gatehouse designed as a lighthouse. The first view is of a full-sized soccer field and the school hall adjacent to it. The hall includes an indoor play area and a seated mezzanine level offering access to the stage for the physically challenged. The hall will be used primarily by the school, but will also be available to the public on weekends.

Next in view is the boarding facility, which is built over three floors with a central dining area, a fully fitted kitchen and all associated facilities, including a refuse area, cold rooms, storerooms, laundry and ironing facilities.

At the front of the site are the administration block and simulation room on the ground floor. The administration block is framed by a double-volume concrete feature which dominates the façade, leading teachers and visitors into the maritime facility. An access ramp to the first floor allows physically disabled individuals – whether they are teachers, pupils or visitors – to reach it with ease.

The main learning areas or classrooms are built around courtyards that can be viewed from the covered and shaded verandahs or walkways. These verandahs are linked to all blocks on the first floor by means of covered walkways. Light-coloured facebrick, harmonised with softcoloured wall paint and spots of brightly-coloured brickwork and shading devices, gives the school space interest and vibrancy.

Courtyards in the learning and boarding areas form spaces for pupils to gather and relax during breaks, shaded by trees and landscaping. An aerial view of the school reveals the boarding facility and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

“The architectural style accommodates a balance of open spaces, as well as privacy,” says lead design architect Craig Moodley. “Public spaces encourage pupil interaction, while zones of learning, boarding and sporting activities all consider the essential needs of the youngsters and promote a balanced, healthy lifestyle.”

“The built structures utilise a mix of various construction materials to enhance the aesthetics and exhibit modern architecture. Green technologies have been adopted where possible and sustainable renewable solutions have also been included, such as solar mechanisms and rainwater harvesting. High-quality finishes enhance the aesthetics and are suitable for the coastal location,” says Moodley.

Ryan Schneeberger, production director at GVK-Siya Zama in KZN, says: “The opportunity to build an educational building in SA is always inspiring, given the desperate need to uplift our youth and indirectly assist in the long-term reduction of youth unemployment. This particular project has the added benefit of being part of urban regeneration, as it’s situated in the heart of the Durban CBD.”

“Two challenges for construction teams included the natural congestion of building in a CBD, as well as the fact that the maritime site’s only 500m away from the Indian Ocean. This meant that construction dewatering had to be incorporated into the costs and programming of the works. However, the team’s managed both of these challenges admirably,” adds GVK-Siya Zama contract manager Charles Cormack.

The school will provide meaningful benefits in other ways too, including making a positive impact on the local economy, improving socio-economic development and growth, supporting SMME development and local labour, and increasing the infrastructure delivery component of the country.

The MSoE is strategically located at 41 Somtseu Road, Durban, in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, close to the largest port in Africa. A vision that began 13 years ago is finally becoming a reality, driven by the passion of members of the Department of Education to create a modern facility that will use the latest teaching technologies to prepare youngsters for careers in the maritime field.