The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) sits in the historic town centre of Stellenbosch within the university precinct. It consists of several smaller heritage buildings to the east and the larger, contemporary Wallenberg Centre to the west, divided by a historic werfwall.
VKDB Architecture and Interior Design completed the STIAS Wallenberg Centre in 2007. Since then, it has hosted researchers and visiting academic fellows from around the world, providing spaces for focussed work and collaboration. Its range of offices, boardrooms, and meeting halls was designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas, reflecting the key underlying principle of the institute; the building provides a creative space for the mind— the current tag line of the institute.
Expanded space for creative thinking Following the centre’s success, VKDB was approached in 2022 to design and oversee the construction of additions to the centre, consisting of a new wing and courtyard, the enlargement of a dining area, and the conversion of one office suite into a new Media Room for interviews and podcast recording. Construction was completed in 2025.
With its world-class university, Stellenbosch has long been associated with innovation. The newly extended STIAS site continues this legacy, offering a dedicated space for reflection just beside Jan S. Marais Park.
The new wing blends seamlessly with the existing building, offering additional same-sized office suites and expanding informal interactive areas. New amenities include an updated and enlarged coffee hub, an open-air roof terrace with mountain views, and additional acoustically treated meeting rooms. The informal spaces encourage spontaneous exchange between academics, enriching the intellectual community.
To the north lies Jan S. Marais Park, with the existing Wallenberg Centre to the south and the historic half of the site to the east. A contemporary mode that respects the parkland setting and the proportions and tectonics of the existing centre was employed. Yet, the new architecture reads as a distinct unit. A darker colour palette marks the new wing, allowing it to merge with the shadows of the surrounding greenery and vegetation.
“The informal spaces encourage spontaneous exchange between academics, enriching the intellectual community.”
Spearheading technological and sustainable development
In line with Stellenbosch University’s sustainability goals, Imbue Sustainability was appointed as an independent green building consultant. Their guidance resulted in a 4-Star Rating and Net Zero Carbon Level 1 (Modelled) Rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) — a first for the university. The Net Zero Rating confirms that the building sources the energy it uses in a year through on-site, renewable means — most notably through the solar panels that make up a large percentage of the new roof’s area.
Passive and active design components were combined strategically, with electrical lighting and air-conditioning optimised to complement solar control, insulation and the utilisation of natural light to create well-performing sustainable spaces. Solar screens outside of north-facing windows temper the summer heat, while contributing to the textured character of the façade. The natural site topography enabled rainwater harvesting for irrigation. This was achieved in consultation with Square1 Landscape Architects and WML Coast Consulting Engineers through a swale that terminates in a natural basin.
While the brief asked for a ‘creative space for the mind’, VKDB extended such mindfulness to the design and construction process. They hope that this ethos will live on in the completed building.
MEET THE TEAM:
Architect and Interiors: VKDB Architecture and Interior Design | Quantity Surveying: Farrow Laing Quantity Surveyors | Structural and Civil Engineers: WML Coast Consulting Engineers | Electrical Engineer: DSVConsulting Engineers | Electronic Engineer: McWilliam Consulting | Fire and Mechanical Engineer: Power Partners | Heritage Consulting: Arcon Heritage Consulting | Landscape Architecture: Square One Landscape Architects | Occupational Health and Safety Agent: Frontline Health and Safety | Acoustic Engineering: Sound Research Laboratories | Sustainability Consulting: Imbue Sustainability | Main Contractor: Build A Way Construction | Photographer: Markus Jordaan
SUPPLIERS:
Solar Screening: Etherington Aluminium, MicroLouvre | Carpet: Belgotex | Sanware: Plumbing Warehouse, Geberit | HVAC: Daikin VRV | Acoustic Walls: Gyproc | Acoustic Ceilings: OWA, Lalegno | Joinery: HomeCor | Alumnium Windows & Doors: Glassmen West Coast | Off-shutter Concrete: HP Projects | Tiling: Masterstone
