The Maluti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Project (MDTP) in conjunction with the South African National Parks envisaged the development of a world-class interpretive centre in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park ( GGHNP)

A significant paleontologicial discovery in the areas was to be the key there to the interpretive centre. However the centre should provide information on the other distinctive attributes in the area namely bio-diversity, geology, ecology and cultural heritage.

Six consortiums were invited to submit proposals for the interpretive centre. Mashabane Rose Associates together with Haley Sharpe SA submitted “Kholulumolumo-Place of Huge Creatures”.

The form of the building recalls the ancient dunes and it enveloped in the indigenous landscape, only the serpentine glass wall that looks toward the cliffs and river is visible. A crevice is formed to make entrance into the dune building. It is here tat tour and school groups congregate, purchase tickets and refreshments before entering the building. As they proceed down the crevice toward the building entrance the visitors are transported back in time.

On entering the building and moving through the serpentine exhibit space visitors are taken on a journey through time from “Where it all Began to “African Jurassic” and then the present day. The exhibit unfolds the paleontological history of the GGHNP and continental Africa. View portals along the visitor route allow a connection with the exquisite landscape surrounding the center.

The belly of the building looks up at the cliffs and presents dinosaur skeletons to the visitor against the backdrop of the dramatic sandstone cliffs. The sheer sized of these skeletons informed the height and scale of the exhibit space and reinforced the dune scape form of the building. The serpentine glass wall reveals the skeletons to the hikers on the mountain pathways above.

The lower level adjacent to the river holds the restaurant, temporary exhibit space, administration and the discovery centre, where through interactive exhibit one can learn of ongoing discoveries within the GGHNP.

From the lower level visitors exit to the building and can then embark on an exterior exhibit pathway leading to the paleontological find site above the centre

When the centre is viewed from above only the serpentine glass wall and nominal hard surfaces of the arrival and parking facilities are visible as man-made elements within a landscape of exceptional beauty and layered history.