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Stortemelk Hydropower Station
Clarens district, Free State
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Contact Artefacts | MenuHomeUpfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon | Stortemelk Hydropower Station | | ||||||
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Click to view large map Coordinates: | Commendation Citation This project is situated just north of Clarens, not too far from the outlet of the tunnel that transports water from the Lesotho-Highlands water scheme. This water augments the bulk water supply to the Johannesburg area. It is the constant force of this water supply that enables the generation of the electricity. The landscape where this project is situated is the well-known and majestically beautiful eastern Free State. This part of the country is often called 'big sky country'. The horizon stretches far and wide, and there is always a mountain range or the typical flat-topped 'koppies' in the distance. This landscape is often further enhanced by even larger scaled clouds creating large spots of shadows as they glide along. Whatever man makes is small in comparison to the scale of the landscape. This hydropower project essentially consists of one large turbine that accelerates the water to generate the electricity. The plant is far larger below ground than above. What is visible above ground is a relatively small shed-like building that houses some equipment while it also covers the top of the turbine. When the project is viewed objectively, one can hardly imagine that it would be the kind of project where the services of an architect would be required. However, it is precisely in this kind of environment where Earthworld Architects came into their own. They understood that this small shed had to be larger than its absolute functional requirements to consciously and creatively deal with the scale of the landscape. The shed also had to let in as much daylight as possible to light up the cavernous space below grade. This was achieved by covering the structure with transparent sheeting. On top of this external cover, the architects placed vertically-aligned Corten steel panels that project beyond the roofline. This is the device that addresses the larger landscape. The consequences of these panels are that they also create patterns of light and shadow — somewhat similar to the large clouds passing over the landscape. This is a small project that required, maybe, only a 'practical' solution to fulfill its utilitarian requirements. However, Earthworld Architects managed to create a design that transformed these requirements into a building of sheer delight that is situated comfortably in its beautiful landscape. References:
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