Social and eating area with terrazzo tables, rattan chairs, woven pendants and perforated terracotta screens

05 · FUNCTION · LAND TO SKY

THE CURATOR HOUSE

Lapalala Wilderness Biodiversity Centre

TYPE: Biodiversity centre
LOCATION: Lapalala Wilderness
YEAR: 2026
PROJECT: Academic project

CONCEPT

Land to sky.

The Curator House is conceived as a place for learning, discovery and reflection at Lapalala Wilderness. Inspired by the relationships between land, life and the sky, the centre uses natural materials, tactile surfaces and views to connect visitors with the surrounding environment.

Interactive exhibitions, teaching areas, outdoor gathering and an observatory encourage visitors to explore biodiversity in different ways.

LANDSoil, geology and water
LIFEPlants and living systems
PEOPLEShared learning and care
SKYObservation and wonder

Rammed-earth entrance wall reading Lapalala Biodiversity Centre beside a timber pergola and brick paving — Arrival & Orientation

Sheltered outdoor eating area under a slatted timber pergola — Sheltered Outdoor Gathering

MATERIAL BOARD

Namib Brick Wash
Sahara Brick Wash
Moss Green Porcelain Mosaic
Natura Limewash Finish
Terracotta Handmade Matt Soldier Tile
Terrazzo In-Situ Polished Concrete Overlay
Leather Material Finish
Rust Material Finish
Neta Melawood Supagloss
Farasan Melawood
Afyon White

MATERIALS AND ATMOSPHERE

Terracotta, warm timber tones, mineral textures and muted greens carry the landscape into the interior.

Eating area with a green-tiled bar, arched niches, terrazzo floor and terracotta screens — Natural Finishes & Texture

Covered terrace opening onto the landscape under a slatted pergola — Sheltered Landscape Connection

SPACES FOR DISCOVERY

Visitor reclining on sculpted timber seating under a starry sky beside a lit wall reading Look up. Look out. Wonder. — The Observatory

Interactive exhibition hall with illustrated wall panels and display cases — Interactive Exhibition

Custom Lapalala wallpaper mural with exhibition panels — Custom Wallpaper Design

Presentation space with long tables facing a projection screen — Presentation Space

Resource and storage room with a built-in desk, pin board and cupboards — Resource & Storage

Group of visitors seated in a circle outdoors under the trees — Outdoor Learning Space

Daytime view of the observatory with a visitor reading on curved timber seating — Observatory and Reflection Area

DRAWINGS

General floor plan of The Curator House — **General Floor Plan.** Eating area (53 m²) with marble counter tops and bar seating, waiting area (25 m²), observatory / reflection area in terracotta brick tile (46 m²), interactive exhibition space (98 m²), resource / storage area (19 m²) and presentation area (45 m²), finished in terrazzo, with outdoor eating and outdoor learning spaces either side.

Section AA through the outdoor eating area, waiting area, observatory and interactive exhibition space — **Section AA.** Through the outdoor eating area, waiting area, observatory / reflection area and interactive exhibition space, showing the gap in the roof for the observatory, the observatory viewing bench, the Lapalala history custom wallpaper and a 5570 mm top of roof.

Section BB through the presentation area and resource and storage area — **Section BB.** Through the presentation area and resource / storage area in Sahara brickwash, with the corrugated iron roof, high-level aluminium glazing, a 3945 mm ceiling height and built-in desks.

Sectional perspective showing the roof shape and rainwater flow — **Roof Shape & Rain Flow.** How the roof planes direct rainwater, with a 4000 mm ceiling height.

MATERIAL LIST EXAMPLE: FURNITURE

NAME	CODE	SUPPLIER	SIZE & SPECIFICATION	PRICE	NOTES
Lula Chair	CA8116PUSAND	Chair Crazy	50 cm L × 42 cm W × 80 cm H, weighing 6.5 kg. Colour sand.	R1200.00	24 × chairs in presentation area.
Ziwe Bowed Side Table	I00006760	Weylandts	Natural carved wood table with a sandblasted matte finish, 360 mm L × 360 mm W × 450 mm H, weighing 11.2 kg.	R2995.00	2 × coffee tables in waiting area.
Lucien Kitchen Stool Vintage Tan PU	ART200ROSETANPU	Chair Crazy	55 cm W × 52 cm D × 94 cm H, weighing 6.45 kg. Upholstered in Vintage Tan PU leather.	R1881.00	5 × placed at eating area island.