IN MY THIRD YEAR STUDIES IN ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY WE WERE REQUIRED TO DESIGN A VISITOR'S CENTER FOR AN EXISTING DAIRY FARM LOCATED IN THE EASTERN CAPE OF SOUTH AFRICA. ONE OF THE DESIGN CRITERIAS AND CHALLENGES OF THIS DESIGN WAS TO INCORPORATE A MECHANICAL MILKING ROTARY WITH THE CAPACITY TO HOLD 60 COWS.
DUE TO THE SITE'S SERENE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE APPROPRIATE APPROACH FOR HIS DESIGN WAS TO BE SITE SENSITIVE IN TERMS OF ITS FORM AND IT'S CONSTRUCTION. USING STEEL SCREW PILES THAT LIGHTLY TOUCHES THE GROUND CONSERVING THE NATURAL GROUND AND CREATING A SOFT GREEN ROOF THAT IS SUBTLE IN THE ENVIRONMENT.