A New Approach to Water Infrastructure: Human-centred Design

Inside the water infrastructure division led by architect Justin Häusle, the focus is on the future. In Stewart and Partners’ vision for water security, it is not only technology but human-centric designs that are changing water infrastructure in the country. For the last 14 years, the water infrastructure division has transformed administration and control buildings across South Africa. Previous models overlooked the people who work at these sites: buildings had rigid boundaries between workers deemed to be in different 'classes' and there was little opportunity for interaction between employees, a layout inherited from apartheid's race-based separation. The setup encouraged a top-down approach that prioritised processes rather than people – a structure that has been overturned with the implementation of a more democratic approach. By placing people first, the work environment facilitates connection between staff in an effort to rethink the architecture that houses both water purification processes and employees. Just as water belongs to everyone, so should the workspace.

One of the largest water reuse plants in South Africa

After the devastating drought in Cape Town – three years, from 2015 to 2018, that saw the most severe water restrictions in fear of Day Zero when the taps would be closed – the City of Cape Town initiated one of their biggest investments to date: the Faure New Water Scheme. The scheme follows a pattern of recycling water by turning wastewater into potable water using advanced membrane technology – a system that has been implemented in the USA, Namibia, Singapore and Australia. South Africa will join these countries once construction at the plant is completed, purifying wastewater and minimising the city's reliance on depleting freshwater sources.

Connecting people, connecting spaces

Overturning entrenched structures across the country is no small task. The journey was made possible by the collaboration between Stewart and Partners and the engineers at Zutari. The shared ambition for people-centred buildings brought together a dynamic team of architects and engineers driven to synthesise their skills for plans that effectively support both water processes and staff members.

No matter what someone’s ranking or status, every end-user’s input matters. The close discussions with operators, superintendents and administrators during stakeholder workshops give the architects an in-depth understanding of each person's everyday lives and needs. This is the foundation of Stewart and Partners’ partnership with Zutari: a belief that quality design results from a people-first attitude and meticulous attention to detail.

Our longstanding relationship with Zutari has made an invaluable contribution to the betterment of the country, and I look forward to continuing our seamless collaboration in the future,

- Justin Häusle

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LINEAR PROCESS, NON-LINEAR FORMS

Scenes from the Stellenbosch Wastewater Treatment Works: at this site, water undergoes a six-stage process. The design considers the linearity of this process without relying on it: easy access and movement through the site alongside the variation in details – off-shutter concrete, planting, the curved wall that holds the staircase – transform the previously rigid and strictly pragmatic approach. The Stellenbosch Wastewater Treatment Works won the AON CESA award for ‘Projects between R250 Million to R1 Billion’ in 2020.

Local Upgrades Matter

Infrastructure is often invisible. Water that gushes through the tap is hardly appreciated for the far distances that it has travelled, and the inspection processes it survives. Yet maintaining everyday infrastructure is essential for water provision.

Suburban reservoirs in Wynberg, Plattekloof and Newlands, although smaller in scale, have also benefitted from the new template that advocates for a more democratic approach to workspaces at infrastructural sites around the country. At the Newlands reservoir, an oak tree is the centre of the courtyard: keeping close to its natural environment and facilitating an outdoor social space.