Contact Artefacts please if you have any comments or more information regarding this record.	Menu Home Upfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon		Central Veterinary Laboratories - Extensions Windhoek, Namibia BARTSCH ARCHITECTON ARCHITECTS: Architect

Date: 1908 : 2011 Type: Laboratory Status: Extant   Click to view large map Coordinates: 22°33'28.71" S 17°05'07.32" E Alt: 1667m

See more photographs BACKGROUND The existing Central Veterinary Laboratories is located in an old colonial styled gabled cement face brick building, with lime stone foundations that was originally designed to house the Berzirksgericht (Old Supreme Court). The building was erected in 1908 and was fundamental in its use between the 1920 to 1930's when the German legal system was in the process of being converted into Roman Dutch Law used by the then South African Government. The building was used until the 1960's where after it was transferred to the Ministry of Agricultural, Division of Veterinary Services. LOCATION The existing building is situated on the fringe of the CBD and is located on a prominent corner which is flanked by Robert Mugabe Avenue to the East, Koerner Street to the South and Goethe Street to the West. The building is located in an old area of Windhoek that now houses several Civic and Administration functions for the Government of Namibia. The built environment surrounding the premises is predominantly flanked by low level commercial workshops and converted single storey administration dwellings dating back from the 60 & 70's with little architectural significance. Nestled in and amongst these buildings however, several old colonial buildings remain that provide the area with its charm, albeit being diluted over successive years by the introduction of new buildings styles. DESIGN APPROACH Given its location in and amongst other significant colonial buildings such as the Old Prison Building bordering the property to the North and the house of the Chief Justice of the time (Now occupied by the National Archive) it was strongly felt to maintain the authenticity of this "Heritage" Building (to date still not listed as a National Monument) and in small part retain some of Namibia's the ever dwindling colonial heritage buildings. In this vain the colour and size of the imperial cement face brick was recreated and a significant amount of time was spent investigating the building's ever changing brick courses and intricate detailing to ensure that the new building would seamlessly flow not only in appearance but also in structural terms. This was further enhanced by retaining the buildings strong vertical layering and the extension has sought to clearly maintain the buildings stone base, intricate face brick superstructure and roof structure. As the building functions are of a complex nature, a significant amount of mechanical equipment had to be installed to allow it to comply with the exacting food testing standards of America and the EU. As this could have potentially destroyed the aesthetics of the building, these services have been carefully been integrated so as to be invisible to the naked eye. LAYOUT The existing building comprises of a central courtyard with central ring passage that is flanked by administrative offices, laboratories and ancillary functions. The new layout for the extension to the existing building was designed to extend this central spine of the building so as to provide clear sight lines and ease of use along the central passages. Along theses passages additional offices and laboratories where created that are well lit with natural light form external facade as well as from a secondary recreational courtyard. In addition, skylights were introduced into a concealed inner roof slab so as to negate the dark and enclosed passages which are evident in the old portion of the building. A further consideration in the use of a secondary courtyard was to minimize the disturbance to the existing structure where the old and new buildings converge. MASSING The massing of the building has largely been determined by the existing structure with its varied gable walls and it the structure was designed to seamlessly flow from the existing structure to new extension so as to appear as if the building has always looked like this. HIERARCHY The massing of the building has specifically been adapted to ensure that the large gable end walls straddling the central main entrance are not exceeded. This was done to pay tribute to the existing building’s historical significance and to ensure that no confusion arises as to the location of the main entrance while still alluding to secondary entrances. (BARTSCH ARCHITECTON ARCHITECTS) All truncated references not fully cited below are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon.