Ruben Reddy Architects chose practical Corobrik materials and clever designs to promote natural light and ventilation.

Replacing the demolished 106-year-old parish, the new community centre is named after the former archbishop of Durban, Denis Hurley, who actively spoke out against the atrocities of apartheid for five decades. Hurley believed a church should be a ‘community serving humanity’ and this centre will allow for his work to continue.

Talking about the multi-faith establishment, Gonzalo Prieto of Ruben Reddy Architects said the aim was to make the building as energy efficient as possible to cut down on future costs.

“We had a tight budget so we needed to make practical use of the materials and not rely on the finishes. We decided that face brick would be the right choice.” Prieto says they found their answers in Corobrik’s silvergrey travertine bricks. 

Taking into account Durban’s summer heat, Corobrik Sales Manager, Pat Moon, said the silvergrey travertine was the perfect choice due to its reflective properties which minimise heat retention.

“Being colourfast with excellent resilience the face bricks will well withstand the elements so there will be very little maintenance later on. It is a great cost-saving choice, particularly for a community centre, such as this, where funds will go towards the upliftment of those visiting the centre, rather than the upkeep of this magnificent building.”

Architect, Prieto, echoes Moon’s views, saying the travertine fitted in with all the ideals of resistance and low maintenance. “We wanted a contemporary look but didn’t want to go for the traditional brick colours of red and orange, so we opted for the silvergrey travertine,” Prieto says.

To maximise on natural light yet reduce radiant heat so as to not direct too much of the budget towards glass, Prieto says long, narrow windows which were deeply recessed provided light while protecting the inside from the sun.

The triangular site proved challenging initially but Prieto decided to use this to their advantage, giving the building character and personality. “We introduced an atrium which resolved a number of issues. Firstly it introduces light into all the public spaces so there is no need for artificial lighting. We avoided the need for corridors, the only one being on the ground floor, so all the public spaces are interlinked and it feels much more spacious than it actually is. Secondly, it ventilates the building and, with the windows open it creates a draft.”

Greg Hayhoe, contracts manager for GVK Siya Zama Building Contractors, further explains that the tinted glazing on the windows also has heat abating properties while letting in light.

The building was an AMAFA heritage site but and due to its state of disrepair very little of the original structure could be recycled. However, Hayhoe explains that they did manage to salvage some components of the former centre which have been incorporated into the new centre.

Whereas the old centre had three floors, the Denis Hurley Centre has four floors catering for the three social programmes which assist the sick, hungry and homeless.

The ground floor has a room for the feeding scheme where people are given a meal and can shower. This leads into the clinic where screening and first aid is administered and finally a room for the refugee programme.

The centre also houses a library, with information on the history of South Africa, a prayer room, caretaker’s apartment and a number of multipurpose rooms. 

For more information on Corobrik, visit, www.corobrik.co.za.