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A safe haven for teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds, Ungubani Secondary school focuses on building individual identity, through the medium of art allowing its students to critically understand self, others and place.

A central natural light filled atrium with animated stairs and landings promotes cross pollination between students and staff alike by means of chance encounters. It also splits the program of the school into 2 halves with a formal and tectonic approach which reflects the nature of the respective teaching it envelopes. Arts Studio boxes to the East are twisted to allow distant contextual views. They are also flexible in their use, and is held up by means of an expressive exoskeleton structure, referencing the working naval architecture as can be seen from the school. The western half of the building is robust and formal, a concrete shell allowing various forms of teaching formats within a preset framework of transparent glass walls. A light well brings light into these floor plates and anchors the arrangement of classrooms, terminating in a multipurpose hall where the light well then doubles up as a fly tower. The use of a Multi Purpose Hall is further extended as a working theatre with adjustable floors allowing ‘proscenium’ and ‘theatre in the round’ seating arrangements. In theatre mode the atrium acts as foyer serviced with a glass lift and promenade stairs for equitable experience of the theatrics of the building and its context. Capping all of the 8 levels of functions, is rooftop breakout spaces, including two HPE areas.

This school however does not operate in isolation, and provides various forms of community benefits after school hours through its controlled Ground Floor Atrium space with café and workshop. Further to gathering and foyer functions, it is also at times used for exhibition of students art works available for view to the public. The school also uses the park amenity on offer on the neighbouring Albert Park, which is supervised by the Metro Police, further extending its reach into the community. Ungubani Secondary School is more than just a school. It’s part of the city, and its people. It’s a symbol of hope for those in need, and a vehicle of opportunity for who learn there.