Establishing significance through relevance

Abstract

The study investigates the relevance of public, historic buildings in an urban context with specific focus on the old ZAR Staatsmuseum in Pretoria. The project aims to find a way, to re-establish the Staatsmuseum as a significant b uilding, a b uilding with dignity, through making it relevant within the urban context, once again. The heritage response that will be investigated is an adaptive re-use approach, which refers back to the statement of significance of the building, as formulated as part of this study. The programmatic response is associated with the initial program of the building, as a Life Sciences museum will be introduced in the building. The concepts of plinth, entrance, exhibition (including light and movement) and courtyard are specific design drivers, that will be investigated and responded to as part of the design process.