#Parliament Expansion - 3F - Mixed Use - CBD | Concept

[Lydon]

Shot So much is planned for the area it gets a little confusing

[Andrew_za]

This is all exciting stuff

So we can assume Parliament will not be moving...at least for a while

[Nostra]

Damn that would be delibirate provocation of the Kaapies. I hope the geographical separation of powers remains...

[Andrew_za]

error

[Lydon]

Originally Posted by Mo Rush

A new, three-storey domed building as part of a multi-million rand parliamentary makeover will be "distinctly African, proudly South African and like nothing anywhere else in the world".

Well...this is the first time I've seen it. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. It's like something out of Star Wars, never mind Africa:

image hosted on flickr



image hosted on flickr



image hosted on flickr

[annman]

It's the parliament building of the Naboo Supreme Council!

[RYebreAD]

Hahahaha. As a recent Star Wars fan...build it! Can just picture the building opening up and Naboo starfighters taking off!

I would like to hear how they motivated thier statement that it's a distinctly African design?

[Citywalker_CT]

It's pushing the envelope, so I quite like it! A lot.

[Eduan]

Quite horrible, if you ask me. Looks like the eye a giant fly staring at table Mountain.

Is there really no more creative way of being "distinctly African" than a blown-up hut?

[RYebreAD]

THAT is supposed to be a hut?

[Lydon]

Pimpin' hut.

[Andrew_za]

I have mixed feelings about this, but with reference to the renders and article; it could be rather interesting. Possibly on par if not above projects such as the Stadium, CTICC expansion and Portside.

Originally Posted by Mo Rush

New building, face of democracy

By Helen Bamford

A new, three-storey domed building as part of a multi-million rand parliamentary makeover will be "distinctly African, proudly South African and like nothing anywhere else in the world".

It will also be a major drawcard for international tourists and allow South Africans an opportunity to get more involved in the parliamentary process.

This is the view of parliamentary spokesman Luzuko Jacobs, who said that R350 million had been made available for the "Legacy Project".

The substantial investment also means that parliament is unlikely ever to be moved from Cape Town.

Cape Town Partnership chief executive Andrew Boraine said the development was very encouraging and they would be working closely with parliament on how it could become even better integrated into the surrounding areas.

The new building, to be erected across the road from parliament on the corner of Plein and Roeland streets, could be linked by existing underground passages and possibly a series of flyovers over Plein Street. But so far nothing had been cast in stone, Jacobs said, adding the project was still at the conceptual stage.

[annman]

Originally Posted by Eduan

Quite horrible, if you ask me. Looks like the eye a giant fly staring at table Mountain.

Maybe it is a giant eye. The giant sinister eye of parliament staring at all of us once the Secrecy Bill comes into effect.

[Eduan]

Haha, it's all a conspiracy!

[Caisson Boy]

It is meant to be reminiscent of a grass hut. There was a render of this on the front page of Die Burger some time last year.

[pauluswizard]

As far as i know, most of the buildings referred to in the tender, in that block, have already been demolished, with temporary parking structures in place. Only the building on the Plein/Commercial corner remains. Can't remember who owns it - may be Public Works ??

[Marsupalami]

I can see the san style grass hut - I went to kleinplassie in worcester after all! - so I can see the context. Is this supposed to be a debating chamber/ imbizo hut or something? - coz if it doesnt have a purpose as such beyond looking odd/new age/ supposedly architectural, then Im in favour of height instead - and the occomodation for those bastart MP's on the site, so that we can free up Acacia Park and give it over to people who need those houses, and kick out all said bastard MP's extended family / leeches!

[James0]

I've heard in the last couple of weeks from a few people that there are plans afoot to relocate the Botha statue from the Roeland St. gate of parliament to Church Square, to stand alongside the statue of JH Hofmeyr. Presumably this would be to make way for a statue of a more inclusive figure. Google provides no corroboration, however. Anyone know if there's any truth to the rumour?

Edit: actually there's this in the New Age from last month: http://www.thenewage.co.za/mobi/Deta...938&CatID=1007

No mention of Church Square however. I imagine the little place might be a little crowded with both statues and the slave monument.

[Andrew_za]

I support the decision.
It would be great for many reasons to have a statue of Mandela at the gates of Parliament.

[James0]

Agreed, and very glad to see the DA supported the proposal.