The project aims to create a general awareness of our personal impact on our planet, while meeting the value based requirements of the client. Working within an existing context and land use creates the challenge of integrating a sustainable design proposal into this context which is preconceived as being less desirable. Eskom requires a value based conference facility within the selected culturally significant structures of the Pretoria-West power station. An analysis of the existing buildings on the selected site and its surrounding context has been undertaken within the documentation. This is to fully understand the implications of placing a design concept within the context, allowing the opportunity to respond to these implications. Energy has been conceptualised within the proposed urban framework. This energy goes beyond just proposing urban activity hubs and explores the energy within the connection lines between these hubs. This process has been inspired by the Curitiba urban precedent within this document and the associated need within a South African context. The concept aims to involve the "hierarchical" groups of our society, with this process involving people who would normally not partake in the urban energy being created within and around the proposed awareness facility. This process will undoubtedly create conflict between these groups. This conflict is the tool used to provoke thought and raise awareness. The boundaries of the sustainable approach within this proposal extended beyond just the technical requirements of the building. It deals with social, environmental and economic factors that influence the concept as a whole, within its urban environment. Although the trial and error process has lead to constant change, from the concept through to the details of the project, the result is a high quality conference facility, that supports sustainability, within a waste sorting environment. The design synthesis, although unpredictable, will provoke thought and allow an environment where people can empower themselves - on multiple levels. / Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Architecture / unrestricted