DIRCO Head Office and Guest Houses

National Awarding winning design that promotes a modern, effective and excellence-driven world class department.

Client The Department of International Relations and Cooperation

Project New Head office and Guest Houses for DIRCO

Address Rietondale, Pretoria

Size 142 000 sqm mixed use specialist facility

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (formerly known as DFA) building complex consists of very simple block forms, which frame three atrium spaces – each a manifestation of distinct significance. The atria are destination or movement nodes, traversed with bridge elements at various levels, which creates dynamic within the complex, as people weave through the spaces.

A conference facility concludes the building precinct. Basements acknowledge the parking requirements and facilitate the horizontal plane required for the buildings above. The three generators of form within the brief were program and function, sustainability, and a quest for uniqueness – an innovative solution was sought as design objective. The accommodation was dealt with practically, with program and function expressed simply and concisely.