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Circa on Jellicoe, South Africa : Arts Development in Johannesburg

Circa on Jellicoe design by studioMAS Architects

9 Feb 2010

Circa on Jellicoe Multi-media Art Gallery

2009
studioMAS architects + urban designers

COMPLETING THE ART[S] EXPERIENCE – UNRAVELLING THE ARCHITECTURE OF CIRCA

Building on the night of the grand opening:

photo : John Hodgekiss

Project Synopsis

Johannesburg is home to Circa on Jellicoe, a multi-media art gallery designed by South African based practice, studioMAS.

Located on a busy urban intersection, it marks a prominent public intervention that challenges perceptions of “art” and “art galleries”.

view toward Circa’s east facade ; night shot of Circa with its coloured perimeter lights

photos : Tristan McLaren

The architecture is a sculpture, moulding itself around its contents. Its elliptical form has developed from the constraints of a narrow site and the prospect of creating a landmark. Its main feature is an aluminium fin facade that allows views into and out of the building.

western facade ; night shot of Circa with its changing lights

photos : Tristan McLaren

The inspiration for this came from nature, with its paradox of implied order and chaos. The experience of shadows on the ramp accentuates the sensory discovery of space and encourages views through the fins into the city.

close up shot of one of the aluminium facade fins ; detail of some of the fins

photos : studioMAS

Circa comprises of three levels; the public ground floor, consists of 106m2 of craft exhibition space. Beyond this, users traverse a perimeter ramp that connects ground and first floor exhibition spaces. This 177.76m2 double volume multi-purpose exhibition space has 7 movable display screens that can drop through the floor into the ground level below, when unused. The top floor consists of a 105m2 private lounge and deck overlooking Johannesburg’s urban forest. Circa is built as a part of the city, its art and its people; it is a fluid point in time, that will morph and evolve as South Africa, and its art, does.

Circa Concept sketch ; stairs from the first to second floor

images : studioMAS

Circa on Jellicoe – Building Information

Project: Circa on Jellicoe
Typology: Multi-media Art Gallery
Architect: studioMAS architects + urban designers
Realisation: Nov 2009
Address: No2. Jellicoe Avenue, Rosebank, South Africa

Photos: Tristan McLaren, John Hodgekiss & studioMAS

Circa on Jellicoe images / information from studioMAS architects + urban designers

The main access ramp ; The fire escape scrim – unplanted

photos : studioMAS