CUT’s gorgeous Hotel School building glass roof is a sight to behold!

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CUT’s gorgeous Hotel School building glass roof is a sight to behold!

It is a start of a new dawn for the CUT Hotel School as it recently embarked on a journey to revamp the ancient structure that has been in existence for over 100 years. It is important that routine maintenance and preventative maintenance are made on such old buildings to prolong their life span for generations to come. These renovations are envisaged to enhance the brand image and potentially attract partners from industry, corporate and local communities.

The newly completed glass roof in the courtyard of the Hotel School was designed and documented by Hennie Lambrechts Architects of Bloemfontein as the first phase in the refurbishment and renovation of the historical 1912 Eunice House on the CUT Campus. A research program and detailed survey of the Republican Style building was conducted to identify structural defects, deficiencies, non-compliance of services and insensitive additions over time.

According to Hennie Lambrechts, Principal Agent for the Hennie Lambrechts Architects, the existing courtyard is a unique feature of historical significance, a rare example of an architectural enclosure still in existence and in use. The protection of this multi-functional space during adverse weather conditions determines its value. The architects designed a cost and energy-efficient glass roof structure with integrated electrical, mechanical and AV technology, to strengthen the architectural space in harmony with the scale and rhythm of the original layout.

The future construction phases will include the separation and re-designing of the sub-standard main kitchen and training facilities, as well as the upgrading of the lounge service area as satellite kitchen for a new solarium as café venue. The extensive restoration of the existing structure and upgrading of the interior including lecture rooms and services will conclude the proposed building program.

Ms Jaydee Snyman, Operational Manager at the Hotel School, said that the roof project has been on the cards long before she joined CUT in 2016. “The old roof really needed some TLC for us to deliver on the standards that we train our students, and as firm believers of walking the talk, we had to lead by example. The previous roof panels could no longer be found in the market as it is old stock that was long discontinued,” she said.

Jaydee also mentioned that the CUT Hotel School is known to be one of the best in the country where students are trained, equipped with the fine-tuned curriculum and are well groomed for perfection. “We do not only offer services to the university but to external clients as well. This newly renovated building will not only serve as a marketing tool but will add the much-desired value to our teaching and learning aspects, as well as increase the number of events we host. It will further provide our students with more hands-on practical training opportunities to learn from within a protective environment, improve their skills and understanding of the industry and apply the theoretical knowledge. This gives us an opportunity to groom them into the future industry leaders.”

“The new roof with the bright lights really gave the Hotel School building a long overdue facelift that enables us to offer our clients modern events with a history of tradition and skills instilled in one. The roof, upgraded boardroom, smaller upgrade to kitchen and restaurant facilities will assist us to be able to market facilities to the industry partners, local communities, and corporate clients. We are looking forward to the launch of our new Hotel School look and venue facilities when this pandemic gives us the opportunity to do so,” she concluded.

All pictures supplied by: Sebedisan Group

Captions

  1. This is the newly completed glass roof in the courtyard of the Hotel School.
  2. An evening aerial view of the gorgeous Hotel School building.
Uploaded: 02 August 2021
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