Since the 1920s, Cape Town’s iconic grain silo has served as a functional industrial landmark, storing and grading corn across South Africa. After its decommissioning in the 1990s, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront sought to repurpose the structure. At the same time, the Zeitz Foundation needed a permanent home for its collection of contemporary African art. These objectives converged in a visionary project to transform the silo into the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), turning an industrial relic into a vibrant cultural institution while preserving its historical essence.
Zeitz MOCAA Technical Information
- Architects1-7: Heatherwick Studio
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Topics: Silos
- Area: 9,500 m2 | 102,260 Sq. Ft.
- Original Silo Construction: 1920s
- Renovation Project Year: 2014 – 2017
- Photographs: © Iwan Baan, © Hufton+Crow, © Mark William
We developed a concept to carve out an atrium, like a vaulted cathedral, to form the museum’s heart.
– Heatherwick Studio Architects
Zeitz MOCAA Photographs
The Architectural Response: Zeitz MOCAA Design Concept
The challenge of transforming the grain silo into a world-class museum required a bold yet respectful approach. The building, though perceived as a single structure, consisted of two distinct sections: the grading tower and forty-two tightly packed vertical concrete silos, each a cylindrical void. The primary architectural hurdle lay in converting these enclosed, utilitarian spaces into open, inviting environments suitable for displaying large-scale contemporary art.
The architects, led by Heatherwick Studio, responded with a striking concept: carve out the heart of the building to create a central atrium. This approach, reminiscent of hollowing out a natural stone, gave birth to a soaring cathedral-like space at the museum’s core. The central atrium, formed by carefully cutting into the silos, became the building’s centerpiece, evoking a sense of awe and reverence typically associated with monumental spaces. The design allowed the original silo structure to remain visible, paying homage to its industrial roots while redefining its purpose for contemporary use.
This innovative design not only resolved the challenge of creating large exhibition spaces but also preserved the silo’s identity, allowing the past and present to coexist within its walls.
Spatial Experience: Art and Architecture
At the heart of the Zeitz MOCAA is the monumental atrium, a void that serves as the building’s central circulatory hub. The atrium’s organic form contrasts with the rigid, cylindrical silos, creating a powerful juxtaposition between the raw industrial shell and the fluidity of the carved space. As visitors ascend through the museum, they experience a dynamic interplay of light, volume, and texture, with each gallery floor organized around the atrium, enhancing the spatial experience.
The surrounding galleries are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for the exhibition of a diverse range of contemporary African artworks. From sculptures and large installations to more intimate multimedia pieces, the space is adaptable while maintaining a strong architectural presence. The museum’s sheer verticality, with its stacked floors and interconnected spaces, offers a unique journey for visitors, encouraging exploration while continuously revealing new perspectives of the central atrium.
Natural light, a vital element in the museum’s design, is carefully modulated. Where the original concrete shell could have created a claustrophobic atmosphere, carefully placed windows, skylights, and transparent sections allow light to penetrate the space, softening the industrial materiality. The play of light across the rough concrete walls introduces warmth, adding a new layer of texture to the visitor experience.
Legacy and Impact
Since its completion, the Zeitz MOCAA has emerged as a cultural landmark for Cape Town and the entire continent. It serves as a physical and symbolic space where African art, often marginalized in the global art world, is celebrated and given the platform it deserves. Architecturally, the museum exemplifies how industrial heritage can be sensitively adapted to contemporary needs without erasing its history.
The project’s success lies in honoring the past while embracing the future. The building retains its rugged industrial charm, with the original concrete silos left intact and visible. Yet, through thoughtful architectural intervention, it has been reimagined as a space that breathes new life into Cape Town’s waterfront. The carved atrium, now a defining feature of the museum, serves as a reminder of the structure’s past function while offering a visionary model of adaptive reuse.
Zeitz MOCAA Plans
Zeitz MOCAA Image Gallery
About Heatherwick Studio
Thomas Heatherwick is a renowned British designer and architect celebrated for his innovative approach to architecture and urban design. Founder of Heatherwick Studio in 1994, Heatherwick is known for his ability to blur the boundaries between art, architecture, and engineering. His work often reimagines traditional spaces and structures, transforming them into bold, functional, and visually striking landmarks. Notable projects include the Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town, the UK Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo, and the Vessel in New York City. Heatherwick’s designs emphasize human experience, materiality, and creative problem-solving, making him a key figure in contemporary architecture and design.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Lead Architect: Thomas Heatherwick
- Design Team: Thomas Heatherwick (Lead Architect), Heatherwick Studio, UK
- Local Architectural Partners: VDMMA (Van der Merwe Miszewski Architects)
- Structural Engineers: Arup (Global Engineering Firm)
- Local Engineering Support: Sutherland Engineers
- Client: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Zeitz Foundation
- Construction Cost: Estimated at $38 million (USD)
