Supervisors: Mr. Tariq Toffah; Dr. Jan Hugo
Building Programme: Learning Commons (Vendor Infrastructure, Public Social spaces, Modular Learning Spaces, Public Threshold Spaces)
Client/Stakeholders: Tshwane South TVET College, Pretoria West Campus
Keywords: Threshold, Upskilling, Informality, Public Interface, Spatial Integration
Abstract
What: The proposed intervention introduces a hybrid public and educational facility at the interface between the Tshwane South TVET College, Pretoria West campus, and Industrial Road. The programme provides a formalised space for informal street vendors, serving both students and industrial workers by offering more sanitary, sheltered, and secure spaces to buy food, rest, or spend time during breaks. In addition to the vendor infrastructure, the intervention includes multifunctional spaces that can accommodate smaller-scale theoretical and digital upskilling modules aligned with existing TVET offerings.
By creating an inviting public threshold between the college and the street, the project aims to destigmatise lifelong learning in technical fields and promote more inclusive engagement with the campus. In doing so, it serves as both a social condenser and a stepping stone for entry into formal education.
Where: The proposed intervention is situated on the Pretoria West campus of Tshwane South TVET College, specifically along Industrial Road, a key edge condition between the campus and the adjacent industrial area.
Who: The primary client for this project is the Tshwane South TVET College, aiming to strenghten its public interface. The intended users include:
• TVET students who require informal gathering spaces, recreational zones, and support facilities during breaks.
• Industrial workers, who rely on nearby vendors for affordable meals and rest during the workday, as well as those seeking to re-enter the labour market through upskilling opportunities aligned with the college’s capabilities.
• Street vendors, many of whom operate informally without adequate shelter, sanitation, or security.
Why: The Pretoria West campus of Tshwane South TVET College lacks adequate informal or semi-public spaces where students can gather, rest, or eat during their breaks. Similarly, workers from the surrounding industrial precinct have limited options beyond a narrow stretch of sidewalk along Industrial Road, where informal food vendors cluster to meet local demand under substandard conditions. This space is lively but underserved. Furthermore, while the college offers a wide range of accredited programmes, there are limited pathways for continuous upskilling tailored to individuals who are already trained but require reorientation or advanced competency to remain competitive in a shifting labour market.
How: The intervention is a hybrid student and community interface centre straddling the threshold between the TVET campus and Industrial Road. It is conceived as a mediating edge, neither fully public nor entirely institutional, fostering informal encounters while enabling structured activities.
