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The Central Government of South Africa have embarked on a massive Public Works Program to stimulate the economy during the current ‘financial crisis’. Alchemy Architects involvement with various Public Works projects led to this commission.
The Department of Health tasked the Gauteng Public Works Department to investigate and develop feasibility studies to upgrade the existing hospital located in Hammanskrall Pretoria north or demolish all existing structures and re-construct a new 550 bed hospital on the same parcel of land whilst the current hospital is in use.
The original brief consisted of upgrading all building structures through an intensive maintenance overhaul together with improving safety and security on the hospital grounds especially linkages between building structures.
Phase 1 currently being implemented addressed the immediate security needs of the hospital for both patient and staff safety. A new guard house with improved access control and upgraded perimeter fencing is currently under way.
Phase 2 addressed the requirements of an enlarged maternity and delivery ward, an enlarged pharmacy dispensing building for both in and out patients. New mortuary to house 100 shelves, increased security to the psychiatric ward. Upgrade to the current administration and casualty ward. Increasing the size of the kitchen and dining halls.
The feasibility showed that the cost of repairing many old building structures to modern standards and adding a few new ones exceeded the available budgets. The construction of a new compact hospital building, accommodating all the requirements set out by the Jubilee District Hospital Managing Committee would be the only true option available.
This project Alchemy Architects worked in association with Mwelase Architects.
