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education & health

Lusito School, Regents Park, Johannesburg

Alchemy architects won the Portuguese Community Merit Award for its work at Lusito School which provides care to the physically and mentally challenged. The school is the main charity supported by Alchemy and from 1995 to 2007 they provided architecture services to upgrade the existing school and design new school block, reception block, school hall and indoor heated pool. Amândio received a Community Award in 2011 for his involvement with the school over a 12 year period form the Portuguese Community of South Africa.

Randgate Clinic, Randfontein, South Africa

The brief was for the construction of an energy efficient and cost effective design that could be replicated on other sites. Consultation and co-ordination with all stake holders including the Directorate Social services, the Department of Infrastructure Development together with the Randfontein Local Council and community culminated in the design of a ‘U’ shaped structure enclosing a private courtyard area. A glazed central spine links the entire building allowing natural light to flood the corridors and waiting areas together with high light strip windows providing additional light to all consulting rooms.

Saint Ives School Hall, Klipspruit West, Soweto

This community upliftment project was conceptualised by the school principle. The need for the local primary school to have a school hall grew to a need for a community hall shared by the school for the good of the immediate community. The design of the structure is relatively simple, envisaged as a steel portal framed structure with a ‘monitor’ type centre skylight along the length of the main roof. Semi face brick infill panel walls to the perimeter together with large windows and strip lighting for natural light and ventilation aid in making the design of this building a sustainable maintenance free structure. Amândio received a Community Award in 2010 from the Community of Soweto.