The V&A Waterfront, in Cape Town, on Friday announced the local partners that would work alongside British designer Thomas Heatherwick’s team on the R500-million transformation of the Waterfront’s historical grain silos into the permanent home of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA).

Construction firm Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) had been appointed as the construction contractor with MACE being the principal agent and project manager. Sutherland and Arup were appointed structural engineers.

Three local architectural firms Van Der Merwe Miszewski Architects (VDMMA), Rick Brown Associates (RBA) and Jacobs Parker would assist in bringing the project to life, with Jacobs Parker being responsible for the museum fit out.

WBHO, MACE, VDMMA and RBAs had all previously worked together on the 6 star Green Star South Africa Design rated No. 1 Silo and the 4 star Green Star rated No. 2 Silo buildings, adjacent to the grain silo complex.

“This is a particularly momentous occasion for us as the dream we nurtured for so long is finally leaving the drawing board to become a reality. We are confident that we have the right team in place to bring the silo to life again and do justice to our vision,” V&A Waterfront CEO David Green said.

The Zeitz MOCAA would be the first African gallery to introduce Category A climate control, a technology that had been endorsed by the International Council of Museums and was used in internationally renowned galleries such as Pompdiou Metz, in France, as well as the Pulitzer and Paul Klee galleries.

“The technology offers the highest level of protection to a collection and is the most advanced climate-control technology available at present. It will allow Zeitz MOCAA to exhibit any piece of art, no matter how fragile,” the V&A said in a statement.

Construction on the grain silo complex was due to be completed by late 2016. Zeitz MOCAA was expected to take occupancy in November 2016, with the museum officially opening to the public in February 2017.