HPI School of Design Thinking by KMH Architects: Africa’s Premier Design Thinking Hub

The Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking Afrika (HPI d-school Afrika) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) stands as a landmark in design education and innovation. Designed by KMH Architects, this 5500 m² institute, completed in 2023, is the third Design Thinking school in the world and the first dedicated hub for Design Thinking in Africa. Its mission is to equip individuals with practical design thinking skills that enable innovative problem-solving in complex socio-political, economic, and cultural contexts.

Collaborative Design Thinking Process

From the outset, KMH Architects embraced the principles of Design Thinking in the project’s conceptualization. Rather than receiving a traditional brief, KMH collaborated directly with the HPI d-school Afrika team. This co-creation process ensured that the architectural design and programmatic decisions were informed by the very principles the school seeks to teach: innovation, collaboration, and iterative problem-solving.

Over a four-year design and construction journey, KMH Architects guided the integration of the school’s vision into every element of the building. This process resulted in a space that reflects learning, engagement, and collaboration, making the building itself a living example of Design Thinking in action.

Sustainability and Contextual Integration

Sustainability was central to the design approach. Targeting a GBCSA 6-Star Public & Education Building certification, the project prioritizes environmental responsibility while responding to the contextual fabric of UCT.

Key sustainable strategies include:

• A flexible structural and service spine along the southern edge to maximize open, adaptable floorplates.
• Large, orthogonal studio spaces that can operate independently or open into the central “Us” space for collective engagement.
• Exposed cable trays and pull-down power cables that allow future-proof flexibility in layouts.
• Integration of “Me,” “We,” and “Us” zones to facilitate ideation, collaboration, and reflection, fostering a holistic learning environment.

Spatial Planning and User Experience

The building’s spatial design supports a variety of learning and collaborative styles:

• “Me” spaces: Quiet zones at either end of the building designed for ideation, reflection, and personal recovery, with views onto landscaped surroundings.
• “We” spaces: Teaching and learning studios, highly visible and interactive, encouraging real-time collaboration and engagement.
• “Us” space: A central roofed atrium and courtyard acts as a town square, connecting studios and communal areas visually and spatially.

This zoning strategy enhances the fluidity between private and shared spaces, making interaction between students, faculty, and staff seamless. Shared staff areas and breakout spaces along main circulation routes encourage informal networking and cross-disciplinary learning.

Materials, Aesthetics, and Flexibility

Material choices and finishes communicate innovation, openness, and adaptability:

• Moveable furniture in large, rectangular studio spaces ensures flexibility.
• Strategic use of glass partitions maximizes visibility and interaction.
• Landscape integration reinforces connection to UCT’s campus environment.

All design elements: from the structural cores containing circulation, services, and shear walls, to the open plan studios, promote maximum adaptability as the school evolves.

Innovation and Environmental Impact

Beyond its educational function, the HPI School of Design Thinking serves as a model for sustainable, adaptive, and collaborative architecture. Achieving a GBCSA 6-Star rating demanded innovative solutions that combine energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and functional flexibility. The building’s design reinforces UCT’s vision of a “living laboratory”, enabling students and faculty to interact with a real-world example of collaborative, sustainable design.

All photographs are works of Paris Brummer