Field work

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in Hermanus in the Western Cape is among five designated space weather information providers for the aviation sector in the world. Together with others in Southern Africa and Antarctica, these centres are responsible for monitoring and tracking solar flares and storms, which affect the earth’s magnetic field and can affect electrical appliances, electricity grids and communication and navigation satellites.

The space weather centre is in Hermanus – and has been since 1941 – because it is what scientists call a “magnetically clean environment”. Artificial magnetic disturbances are commonly found in cities and railways, which is why remote locations are preferred. Hermanus also has no rail infrastructure, which commonly affects magnetic fields, and is free from natural magnetic rock formations. They affect the sensitive measuring instruments that the scientists use.

The new Space Weather Centre, which was completed and officially opened at the end of 2022, was designed by Heidi McAllister, a young architect from AVNA Architects. The centre is part of a larger precinct. The new building was sited opposite an existing office and administration block, which created an approach line that links these two buildings within the precinct. In addition to the Space Weather Centre, several other buildings were added to the precinct, including new guest accommodation (visiting scientists often stay for extended periods), an extension of the existing student residence, and a generator and transformer building.

In addition to housing the control hub, the centre also needed to cater for public tours, including visits from large groups of school children, and monthly public lectures. 

The design of the building was inspired by the beautiful elliptical curves of the magnetic fields that the scientists working in the building study. McAllister notes that the design of the building is a way of visually and architecturally celebrating the work done in the building – making the invisible visible. She adds, “The curved shapes and vertical planes break the building’s façade into portions, with key areas being celebrated with sculptural volumes and spaces that can be seen in the main entrance, lecture hall and boardrooms.”

The materials used in the construction of the buildings needed to be non-magnetic. Fibre cement roof sheeting was used to replace standard metal roof sheeting. All roof trusses are timber, which McAllister notes was especially challenging with the larger spans inside the foyer and lecture hall. The façade features contrasting smooth plasterwork and rough painted bagged brickwork. “This creates a visual interest and accentuates the architectural detail, thereby softening the façade,” says McAllister. Blue feature walls and elements were added to highlight key areas such as the main entrance. 

A gradually sloping polished concrete ramp leads up to building. It is made from black and white aggregate and crushed perlemoen shells that glisten in the sunlight. The entrance opens into a dark lobby with a circular glowing orb overhead – “a moment in space”, as McAllister puts it. Beyond this is a generous foyer with an expressive ceiling featuring suspended circular orange acoustic panels and feature lights. “The main control centre is visible through a glass wall, where scientists can be observed monitoring space weather data on a large, curved screen,” says McAllister. 

The building is divided into a public area that includes the lecture hall, and a large foyer for events. The offices are access controlled and are distinguished through different colours. “The public areas have bursts of bright colours to create a stimulating and exciting space to visit,” says McAllister. “The office wing has a toned down colour scheme of blues and greys with soft timber joinery, to create a calming environment in which to work.”