Looking back on our visit to the Zeitz MOCAA, designed by the internationally renowned London-based Heatherwick Architects, we are still in awe of how this space was transformed from its industrial origins into a modern architectural marvel. Located in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, the museum stands as a testament to innovative design and the preservation of heritage. The Silo Hotel, occupying the upper six floors of the historic grain silo complex above the Zeitz MOCAA, offered breathtaking views of Table Mountain and the ocean.
Our guide began by setting the scene at the lowest point of the building, which spans nine floors, with the highest point reaching 57 meters above sea level. Originally constructed between 1921 and 1924, this edifice served as a grain silo for over seven decades. It was fascinating to learn about the building's original function and the intricate network of tunnels and chutes that facilitated grain storage and movement.
- Words: Fynn
- Photos: Yinjispace Paris Brummer
As we walked through the museum, we could still see remnants of its past. The circular structures on the ceilings, once part of the silo bins, now serve as a striking design element. The most impressive feature is the atrium, designed by architect Thomas Heatherwick, who transformed the space by superimposing the form of a grain corn into the cylindrical silos. This creative intervention resulted in a beautifully curved and sculpted atrium, which required labor-intensive hand carving and polishing over two years to complete.
The dual-layered concrete walls tell a story of both preservation and modernization. The outer lighter layer is the original 100-year-old concrete, while the inner darker layer represents the new reinforced structure, necessary for the building's current function. Embedded in these walls are stones from Table Mountain, symbolically merging Cape Town's natural landscape with its industrial history.
The tunnels, once bustling with railway tracks transporting grain to the harbor, now offer us a glimpse into the building's storied past. The stairwell, preserved from the original silo, gives us a sense of scale and the monumental nature of the space. The silos, which once held up to 120 tons of grain, now provide a dramatic backdrop for contemporary art.
As we ascended to the upper floor for the exhibition, the juxtaposition of old and new, industrial and artistic, became even more apparent. Zeitz MOCAA not only showcases contemporary African art but also serves as a living narrative of architectural ingenuity and cultural preservation. Our visit has left an indelible impression on us, emphasizing the power of adaptive reuse and the importance of honoring a building's past while embracing its potential for the future.
