New Joburg council chamber design draws on lekgotla theme
The new R340-million Johannesburg Council Chamber building, with several unique features, was showcased to the media last month by the Joburg Property Company (JPC).
JPC property development senior manager Alan Dinnie explained during the tour that the new building, expected to reach completion in March, would have seating for 361 council members, as well as 158 dedicated seats in a balcony for the public and media, which would address the lack of seating in the current building.
There will also be a stoa walkway – a roofed colonnade typically used in ancient Greece – around the chamber.
A technical control room will be located above the speaker’s office, which will enable operators to focus on individual council members and to broadcast council sessions live. Further, six translation booths will be built above the control room.
Dinnie highlighted that the community had played a significant role in the construction of the new council chamber, with about 20% of the R280-million construction spend being allocated to community development, as well as incubator and training programmes.
This had resulted in the employment of about 40 small, medium-sized and microenterprises on the project.
The architect for the project was studioMAS.
The new chamber had been designed with the circular lekgotla – the traditional meeting place for African decision-makers – in mind.
The circular design also symbolised a drum, which would be used to sound the start of council meetings, rather than a bell, the European tradition currently followed, Dinnie noted.
The building will also have visible gold fixtures to symbolise its presence in Johannesburg, whose history is synonymous with the precious metal.
A standout feature of the new building is its glass façade, which will enable not only council members to look out into Johannesburg but also the public to look in on council meetings. Dinnie highlighted that the façade symbolised the importance of transparency in governance.
Further, the new chamber’s public viewing area, the People’s Square, will symbolise the importance of public participation in governance.
It will also be surrounded by flag poles, which will form part of a garden of remembrance for former council members.
The building has a five-star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa.
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