Primary structures

WORDS Nechama Brodie 

Crowned “best leisure development in Africa” at last year’s African Property Awards, and now shortlisted for Most Beautiful Object in South Africa, the Soweto Theatre has caught more than a few eyes. We sent Nechama Brodie to find out what’s beneath the “Lego” façade.

“A lot of people have said it looks like an assembly of Lego blocks,” says Desmond Sweke of Setplan, the development consultants and town planners that managed the development and construction of the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani, Soweto, “but that wasn’t really the concept.” Rather, he explains, the bright red, yellow and blue centrepieces of the complex were intended to “resemble wrapped presents, in boxes, enclosed by a curved wall on two sides”. 

 The curved wall presented a real challenge, Desmond adds: the architects (Afritects) had designed the wall to curve in multiple directions so that it was “parabolic in shape – which was a nightmare from a structural engineering point of view as it cantilevered in all directions,” and each curve would have required a purpose-made shutter. A compromise was found by creating a wall with a consistent curve, designed “so that skaters can actually use it – they’d call it a vertical ramp. Although we haven’t advertised that too much,” Desmond admits. 

The wall facing the street is blank, designed for graffiti (although it’s currently being used to advertise shows). It’s a great metaphor, a canvas for all kinds of energies. 

Theatre for the people

The Soweto Theatre, which opened in May 2012, is the anchor project at the heart of what is intended to be Soweto’s first planned or official CBD – a scheme that will eventually include between 3 500 and 4 000 mixed-income residential units, 15 000 square-metres of retail space and 20 000 square-metres of office space, all on an (somewhat remarkably, given Soweto’s crowded land situation) untouched 43 hectares of land between the Jabulani Station and the Jabulani Mall. 

Setplan’s involvement in the theatre and broader CBD development dates back to 2007, when a request was put out by Joburg Property Company to develop the area. The terms were that the successful bidder had to deliver a theatre to the value of R60-million, before getting the rights to other developments. After a lengthy bidding and approvals process Setplan was appointed project managers, as part of the Inkanyeli Group Five Development Team. 

Desmond, who put together and managed the entire team – from quantity surveyors, to architects, structural and civil engineers, landscape designers, a theatre specialist and other professionals  – says that the original theatre design came in at R110-million, which left the city with an (unexpected and unwelcome) R50-million pay-in. 

In an attempt to see where costs could be cut and the scheme improved, a value engineering workshop was held, bringing in specialists from around the world –particularly from the UK, to look at successful “theatres for the people”, such as the Northern Stage Theatre in Newcastle and the Young Vic Theatre in London. 

After two days, the workshop came out with a complex that would cost R160-million (final costs were reported as coming in at about R150-million, when the theatre opened).

Inclusive spaces

The theatre boasts three theatre venues (the red, yellow and blue blocks) – a 430-seater main auditorium, and smaller 180-seater and 90-seater venues. 

“The theatres are arranged almost in the shape of a Y,” explains Desmond, “so that dressing rooms and other communal spaces are in the middle and can be shared.” The building has also been specifically designed to connect outside spaces with the inside, for example using glass on the wall of the foyer and the tented structure out front (designed by Lewis Levin) to enlarge the lobby and merge areas. 

Desmond says that another interesting design feature is a bridge linking two upper floors. It’s a space where performances can take place, and be viewed by an outside audience – and where people “can be seen. People go to theatre not just to see shows, but to be seen themselves”.

The theatre site is slightly elevated, offering potential views beyond the complex itself. Desmond says there are plans to modify the historic Jabulani Stadium to “create a gap” so that “if you’re on [the theatre’s] bridge or patio you will be able to look through the stadium and have a panoramic view of Soweto to the south, east and west.”

Settlement Planning Services www.setplan.co.za

Vote for the Soweto Theatre in Design Indaba’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa competition by SMSing “MBOISA Afritects” to 43431 (SMS costs R1).