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The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) implemented Westbury Transformation and Development Centre (WTDC) is set to be recognised globally after the project was shortlisted for an award at the 2022 World Architecture Festival (WAF), in the Completed Buildings: Civic and Community category. 

The WAF is the world’s largest festival and live awards competition dedicated to celebrating and sharing architectural excellence from across the globe. Now in its 15th year, the festival will take place in Lisbon, Portugal from 30 November 2022 to 2 December 2022. 

Westbury was identified as one of the priority precincts along the Empire-Perth Corridor based on its potential to elicit short- to medium-term growth and intensification within the corridor. 

A project identified within this precinct was the redevelopment of what was initially the existing Westbury Transformation Development Centre (WTDC), which the JDA implemented on behalf of the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Social Development.

The upgrade of the WTDC, designed by award-winning firm, Ntsika Architects, as a “high spec” public building. 

Ntsika Architect’s brief was to design a space to facilitate an early childhood development centre (ECD); day care for senior citizens where they would be provided with hearty meals and varied activities; sports and recreation for the youth and the broader community to encourage fitness and healthy living; vegetable gardens; and retail opportunities including a bakery and a sewing room.

Located at the intersection of Main and Harmony Street, the 5000m2 facility also accommodates offices, a greenhouse, a multi-purpose sports hall, a laboratory, a bakery, youth counselling services, a training and clubhouse, and an underground parking garage.

In keeping with the JDA’s processes and practices to support job creation and enterprise and skills development for previously disadvantaged groups, including black people, women, youth and people with disabilities, a total of 40% of labour use came from Westbury locals and SMMEs. 

As the main contractor, Motheo Construction Group hired and trained 42 local, previously unskilled labourers and utilised seven small businesses in the area as part of the SMME agreement, harnessing available local specialist skills. Training of unskilled labour was a critical part of shared learning and the sustainability of the project.

Should the WTDC emerge as the winner at the 2022 WAF, it would be the project’s second major honour. In 2019 the WTDC emerged as the winner in Architectural Design: Mixed Use Architecture at the 2019 Architecture Master Prize (AMP) awards.

It also wouldn’t be the first JDA project to be recognised globally as well.  In 2017 the Westbury Clinic, implemented by the JDA for the City’s Health Department, emerged winner at that 2017 WAF.

“We are excited to see another one of our projects being honoured, following the entry of the Watt Interchange into the 2022 Fulton Award last month. The WTDC’s nomination into this global festival is the recognition of JDA’s role in the development of resilient, sustainable, and liveable urban areas in identified transit nodes and corridors,” JDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Mokgema Mongane said.

Issued by Kenneth Nxumalo  from The Johannesburg Development Agency