63 • Wits School of the Arts: Film and Television Lecture venue, Solomon Mahlangu Building Basement The previously unused lecture venue in Solomon Mahlangu House Basement Level 1 has now been redeveloped into a modern screening and teaching venue for the Wits School of the Arts, Film and Television Department. The construction was completed and handover to the client took place in February 2020.
• Humphrey Raikes Basement laboratory This project involves the development of four new research laboratories in the existing basement bulk chemical storage area of the Humphrey Raikes building. The construction was completed and handed over to the client in February 2020.
4.7.7.
• Solomon Mahlangu House West Wing Drawing Hall refurbishment The redevelopment and furnishing of the current Solomon Mahlangu House West Wing Drawing Hall aims to increase the venue’s tests and examinations seating capacity from the existing 270 seats to 440 seats. The scope further includes the complete replacement and overall capacity increase of the current heat, ventilation and air-conditioning system (HVAC) in order to accommodate the additional seating capacity of the venue. The HVAC portion of works has been completed. However, the construction portion of works was delayed due to operational uncertainty arising from the ongoing lockdown and safety restrictions on campus in the 2020 academic year. The revised construction commencement date is now 01 October 2021, with expected completion by the end of February 2022. Construction progress will be reported on in the next reporting cycle. Pictures of the completed HVAC works are provided below.
Lecture and teaching venue audiovisual (AV) equipment upgrade
The scope of work has been split over two phases of work, the first phase involving the priority lecture and teaching venue AV upgrades in select venues where systems were not functional, impacting on the teaching and academic programme. The works as per the original scope have been completed, with project savings being allocated towards further lecture and teaching venue AV upgrades in other teaching facilities. The additional scope is being finalised, and intended to be completed by the end of December 2021. Photographs of the completed AV upgrades in one of the earmarked venues have been provided below.
Gatehouse level 4: Before venue and audiovisual equipment upgrade
Gatehouse level 4: After venue and audiovisual equipment upgrade
