A towering triumph for African culture

• Redeveloped South Africa’s oldest working harbour, transforming the landscape and creating a cultural hub that now attracts over 23 million visitors each year.  

• Maintained the structural heritage by repurposing 42 concrete storage cylinders that stood 33-metres high, creating a striking appearance for the museum. 

• Formed a cathedral-like space within the grain silo utilising advanced techniques, managing simultaneous demolition and construction.

Central to Cape Town’s 300-acre harbour development stood the Silo District’s biggest challenge – a cluster of 42 concrete maize storage cylinders. Rather than demolish the 33-metre high tubes, we assisted London-based architect firm, Heatherwick Studios, in the challenge of re-purposing the historical structure, turning it into a striking art centre that pays homage to its surroundings. 

As project manager and contract administrator for the ambitious scheme, we worked closely with the entire project team to stabilise the 1920s ducts before carving out the centre to deliver a museum that features 9,500 square metres of custom-designed space spread over nine floors. 

Boasting cylindrical concrete walls and vast stature, the rawness and grandeur of the building fully supports the expressive significance of the art housed within. 

The 6,000 square metre exhibition space houses more than 100 galleries, a rooftop sculpture garden, state-of-the-art storage and conservation areas, a bookshop, a restaurant and bar, and reading rooms. The unique building, with its cathedral-like atrium has completed the transformation of the Silo District.