Thesis process video submission

A video submission of the current thesis process. There was a strict 4-minute restriction to summarize the overall narrative of the thesis process upto this stage of the project. 

B-tech final design project

A starting point. Levels of intervention and healing

The socio-spatial wounds of Fietas may be viewed as existing at varying scales. Thus opportunity exists to intervening at different scales. 

Intervening at varying scales may be considered as a multi-level treatment to the spatial woundedness. Through considering the built environment in terms of levels, as well noting the various agents that are active on those levels enables one to also place oneself in the relevant position to intervene. 

While the city of Johannesburg has an overall vision for the city, setting the guidelines (such as the corridors of freedom development) for the levels below, for the sake of this project, the delimitation of intervention are within the neighbourhood scale of Pageview and Vrededorp.

 A starting point

The public realm, the shared spaces of the neighborhood of Fietas is the starting point for intervention in healing the socio-spatial wounds. This refers to the shared spaces at a neighbourhood scale. 

Whilst being on major routes to and through the city, the neighbourhood is not programattically benefiting from that proximity. These are factors are all seen as opportunities in seeking to design towards a sens of spatial balance and well-being, healing the spatial wounds of the neighborhood. 

The demolished sites that remain also hold potential in being redeveloped and offer opportunities for new spatial and programmatic interventions relevant to the context. These also hold opportunities to capture and spatially represent the rich history of the neighbourhood.  

Neighborhood Framework

In considering the notion of “comprehensive” treatment, a multi-layered approach is adopted in the proposals at an urban scale.

Among these layers include the first stages of development taking place within the major routes of Fietas (8th, 14th and 17th street moving from East and West,, as well as Krause, De-la-rey and Solomon Street from North and South). These major routes frame smaller “sub-neighbourhoods” within Fietas which all bear a unique and distinct character, while also serving as linkages.

Developments meeting at an intersection provide opportunity for mixed use developments, The intersection on 8th Street and Krause street is where one finds opportunity for intervention.

The process of healing a wound

In considering the notion of “Healing” the socio-spatial wounds of Fietas, one considers the idea of healing as a process.  Healing may be understood as meaning to restore something to a sound, stable condition (Webster). 

In the experience of a deep wound, the sking undergoes an autonomous process of healing and restoring itself. To facilitate this natural process of the skin healing itself, and to ensure greater success at restoration, various catalysts are used. 

Catalysts such as band-aids, plasters, casts, stitching, ointment, etc are used not necessarily due to any healing properties they inherently have, but rather because of their catalytic effect to fast-track the body’s natural systems of healing. These catalysts bear the largest effect in the first stage of healing, (Hemostasis) in which the body reacts to stop blood loss and begin repairing the skin. 

The notion of healing may be considered as a metaphore to describe the response to the socio-spatial woundedness existent in Fietas. In responding to the socio-spatial wounds in Fietas, architecture may be considered as a catalyst to facilitate the healing process.

In instances of severe physical wounds, the resultant trauma calls for relieving not just the physical wounds, but the psychological effects of the wounds also. A comprehensive healing approach is thus followed in such instances, to deal with the long terms effects. 

Comprehensive healing refers to a multifaceted, systematic appraoch to dealing with the results of a variety of health issues, from substance abuse, to cancer. The notion of comprehensive healing may also be borrowed as a metaphor, in referring to an approach to healing that attempts to go further than the surface of a condition, but also the resultant effects thereof. 

Focused Design intention

After the spatial exploration exercises, I decided to take a bit of a step back to focus my overall design intention more. While I found myself responding on a number of various things things, I had not yet fixed on one overall design intent, which was making it slightly difficult to progress. 

From the exercises, I considered what was driving the various decisions being made. 

Substance abuse and it's impacts in Fietas.  

From the number of site visits and interaction with residents at the Jan Hofmeyer community center, as well as through an unscripted documentary on the neighborhood, I found that substance abuse has been a contributing factor to the various difficulties in Fietas. 

Responding to this condition has been a major driver in the intent to explore how architecture can respond to the social opportunities. 

I consider what are some of the major causes behind some issue of substance abuse in Fietas. Understanding that architecture may not necessarily be the solution to all the problems of the neighbourhood, 

I considered which of the contributing factors have spatial implications (Orange dots). This is where I see opportunity for intervention. 

One of the major cause of the substance abuse, both in Johannesburg and in Fietas in particular is largely due to what is termed "Post-apartheid Woundedness." This was supported by an article I read on the subject of Youth “Woundedness” and the substance abuse crises in South Africa. Below are a few quotes from it:

"While there are many factors contributing to this state of affairs (generally), we must apportion some of this to the “woundedness” of our nation, post – apartheid...

Substance abuse is a national crisis threatening the very fabric of our society. In responding to this crisis, we need to address our “woundedness”."

Youth “Woundedness” and the substance abuse crises in South Africa – A contribution towards understanding this “Wicked” Problem! - Jerome September, Youth Connector at the Citizens Movement

What became particularly interesting with Fietas is that the "woundedness" (caused by the demolitions under the apartheid group areas act) caused not only the social woundedness, but it is also very evident spatially.

Socio-spatial woundedness in Fietas, the scars of the apartheid demolitions of the 1970's

The "social woundedness" that exists in Fietas (substance abuse, crime etc) is very related to the what caused the "spatial woundedness" (decay, void spaces) also. The scars that remain are not only emotional scars, but also spacial.

The demolitions which took place drastically altered the condition of the previously thriving, multiracial neighborhood.

A bit of Fietas, before the demolitions of the 1970's

These considerations, in getting a better understanding of the real nature and cause of the substance abuse ni Fietas, as well as its related conditions, helped focus the design question in arriving at a relevant architectural intervention:

In considering this question, I look to address the spatial woundedness found in Fietas, in view of the fact that it is also associated with some of the social conditions found in the neighborhood.

I consider the intervention metaphorically as being a catalyst: In the same way a bandage doesn't necessarily heal a wound, but is necessary to facilitate the body's natural process of healing,

This idea is to be explored further.

Design workshop_Part 2: ANCHOR | UNSEE | COMPOSE (Tuilza Sindi)

The intention of this workshop was to guide in the process of exploring what the spatial experience is/could become with our interventions. This was through a few short, exercises that had us draw what we imagine the completed intervention would be, and draw/sketch/paint what we imagine that experience of that space would be like.  

4 Initial compositions from the exercise. 

PART 1_ANCHOR

For part 1, the aim was to sketch the anchoring elements of intervention, without looking at the page. This was under the 2 themes of "Movement and Route" and "Volume and scale.

Movement and Route

Considering the main and secondary users, how they move through the spaces, and where that movement overlaps/ connects. I considered the darker colours to be the primary users, while the feint/lighter colours would be the secondary users moving through. 

Volume and scale 

The spatial volume and the experience it creates was explored. Here I consider the volume of both the intervention as well as the existing elements around the site, and the site within the city.

PART 2_UNSEE

Using various mediums, the second task was to draw with eyes closed while facing the page. This is in continuing from the first part, but considering the other layers of spatial hierarchy and what intention we have behind the intervention as a landmark. 

Hierarchies 

Here i attempted to express the finer grain patterns found throughout the site, as carried on in the architectural intervention. Some of the spaces would feed off of the activity happening on the route throughout the site (Fietas), while the more contained activities happen deeper within the intervention. 

Landmarks and marks on the land

The idea of "landmarks" is what the intervention does as a landmark/ what statement it makes. Here I explore the idea of the intervention as being a part of its contexts and stitching the gaps made from the apartheid demolition, and also making a monumental statement of Fietas as a valuable part of the city. 

PART 3_COMPOSE (MODEL)

The third part of the task was to translate the spatial intentions put on paper, to a 3D model expressing what we want our interventions to achieve spatially. This was to be done from one of the drawings selected. 

#WorkInProgress 

Model from "Volume and scale"

From the "Volume and Scale" drawing, I considered the model as a sectional perspective through the intervention and the previously vacant site. Its layered with the linear planes for movement through the intervention, still relative to the existing and surrounding context. 

Summary of reflections 

This process was a helpful exploration of what the architectural intervention could become. I enjoyed the freedom of the process, which was very helpful. The intuitive decision making and responses helped to get out of ones comfort zone. 

From the exercises, I re-considered why I made some of the spatial gestures I did, and how the spatial ideas can be explored in reality, on the actual site. 

A major intention is to have the intervention relevant to, and also support, the valuable happenings within the context. 

Spatial exploration and contextual relevance

The next step is really to ground the various intentions into a more focused, overall approach that informs the next decisions. At this point I still think I have not clearly articulated that.

Design workshop_Part 1: Spatial Exploration

This past week Unit2 engaged in a design workshop to explore the spatial intentions behind our individual design intervention. Through various short exercises we go to explore and express the spatial possibilities within our sites.

The task(s)

Sketch Sections

The first task was to explore, in section, a key space within our interventions and explore the spatial possibilities. This involved looking at the relationships between the various spaces, the (vertical and horizontal) planes and points that define that core space. The exercises were very short to get us to make quick, intuitive decisions based on our findings from site analysis.  

Initial Sections through core spaces of intervention. 

The task was quite helpful in pushing me to intentionally consider, spatially, what my intentions are (in relation to the overall themes I am dealing with.) Although at the beginning of the task I wasn’t quite settled on what the functions should be, but I considered the exercise as a tool to assist in that direction.

Open Recreational Spaces   -   Internal workshop and "making space" -  Route and Interface between structure and outdoor workshop.

The core space I considered was a portion through what would be workshops, related to other spaces of less activity (internally), as well as a route through the intervention connecting various parts of the site, the building thus acting as a gateway through the site.

Getting this idea across in section was a slight challenge, explored the spatial intentions in perspectives, making intuitive decisions as i go. These also furhther informed the sections.

Sketch Models

From the sections, we were also tasked to explore the spatial intentions through models informed by the sketches through a core space.

Model 1

Exploration sketch model 1. Considering the intervention within its relation to the existing buildings, and the urban fabric. 

In the beginning of the exercises, I found that I was considering the models more as massing, rather than expressing the spatial experience and the intentions behind them. 

Model 2

To further explore the spatial intentions, I decided to consider the model at a larger scale. 

Personally, considering the spatial experience in perspective was a helpful tool in exploring the possibilities.
Here I consider the spatial relationship between the intervention and the public realm, and what positive spaces are created. 

The idea is that of a route through the intervention, the spatial experience being as of a gateway through the demolished sites. 

Model 3

Further explorations began getting a bit more character after sketching over the previous models.
These models better express a sense of lightness, structure, and the relationship with the street edge and the public spaces on the previously demolished sites. 

The intention is to have an increased scale in the intervention, while still being contextually relevant. With the sites location at the entrance into Fietas, the architectural intervention defines the threshold into Fietas.  

While making these models, a slight challenge was to express  the same spatial expression that I expressed in the sketches. This challenge was better resolved through Part2 of the design workshop later in the week. 

Personal reflections from the exercise

I really enjoyed the push to consider the spatial intentions of my individual projects intentions. This exercise forced me to test the abstract ideas spatially, relative to the actual site. 

I found myself going back and forth with the various exercises. Considering the intervention from various perspectives, was helpful.

Allowing oneself to make the intuitive decisions (without necessarily discarding the more rational ones) made me consider the whole intervention with more creativity. 

Although during the process I felt as though I had not settled on the spatial intentions, the exercises assisted me to consider what I really mean with some of my intentions. 

In retrospect,I find that my intentions (spatially) seem to focus on:

- The idea of filling the spatial gaps made by the demolitions

- Spatial for connectivity and legibility through the intervention and adjacent spaces

- Giving Fietas a presence spatially as a part of the city, rather than a gap within the city. 

From here 

From the exercise, I think I need to take a bit of a step back to consider what my overall urban drivers are. 
These short exercises were followed by another short exercise with Tuliza Sindi

Pecha Kutcha Slides with Phil Astley

Below are a series of slides from a Pecha Kutcha presentation prepared during Phil Astleys visit. The idea was to present our individual projects, taking what we had learnt during the week with Phil Astley, in 3 minutes using a maximum of 10 slides. 

The captions are the notes from the verbal part. 

This project looks to interrogate the impact of spatial design, at an architectural scale, on the societal realities of a context. This is drawn from an understanding of the built environment as being a complex system ordered by the 3 principles of built form, space/ territory, as well as  the social/ culture. The context considered for this project is the historically rich, socially complex neighborhood of Fietas, west of the Johannesburg CBD. 

In close proximity to the inner-city, "Fietas" is the informal name for a small residential area made up of 2 small neighborhoods: Pageview and Vrededorp . Although having a rich history and diverse subcultures, Fietas faces various social ills related to crime and substance abuse. These conditions trace their roots back to the demolitions that took place in the area under the forced removals of the Apartheid group areas act in the 1970's.
The demolitions that took place left the neighborhood fragmented, both spatially and socially. 

With the intent to interrogate the social conditions of Fietas, I looked at immersing myself in the site as a tool to further understand the environment. As a point of entry into the sight, and to understand the community of Fietas better, the Jan Hofmeyer Community center became a way of entry into understanding the various actors in the site.
The community center provides a soup kitchen serving the local residents of "Fietas." They see their roles as being to effect change within the community. 

The community center happens to lie on 8th Street, a major route through Fietas. This also happens to be a part of  the Corridors of Freedom Development of the City of Johannesburg. Adjacent to the center are also 2 "empty" sites left over following the demolitions which took place. As traces of a part of the history of Fietas, as well as because of their relation to a nodal 8th Street intersection, the various activities around the site, as well as the proposed framework for development by the city, these 2 gaps are considered as potential sites. 

The corridors of Freedom development is a part of the spatial development vision from the City of Johannesburg looking to reconnect the inner city to various distant neighborhoods around Johannesburg (previously segregated due to apartheid planning.) The major focus is through transit oriented developments and mixed use nodes along the various routes. 

Further exploring the site and its surrounding activities. Surrounding conditions include the Briton cemetery, housing, and existing public transport & other movement activities. Opportunity exists to consider the Corridors of Freedom Development as a starting point to implementing a more contextually relevant, and socially transformative, architectural intervention.

In relation to the site and the community center, various agents and networks emerge. Through the process of engagement with the community center, and the various residents they serve, drugs and substance abuse seem to stand out as a prevalent issue within Fietas. 

At this stage, I begin to consider what exactly  "transformation" would mean, and more importantly, what it would mean relative to Fietas. At this initial phase, the idea of a transformation "matrix" begins to emerge. This is in realizing that the idea of transformation or change, though having various related meanings, has degrees of impact, from the individual, to the city. 

From what we have learnt through the week with Phil Astley, I have started to consider what the key "drivers for change" would be in Fietas. Responding to substance abuse and providing support for the community service structures are among the highest drivers.

The idea of a craft school for an initial program is with the intent to respond to the substance abuse conditions through providing an environment that can contribute towards rehabilitation as well as empowering residents/ users through education and trade. The hope is that the craft school, through its various factors, could also prevent drug use through providing an alternative.**

Reflections from the exercise

Being forced to put together the presentation in the short time really pushed me to get do get down to the core points of the project

Although it has been a great help in making progress, I would say that  in the short duration of the presentation, I didn't get across all the major points of the themes I am dealing with. 

Summing up the core themes of the  project, especially as they continue to develop, is vital as the process continues. 

I'm looking to go back to considering the Drivers for Change as well as the scenario planning exercise again. I trust that this will continue to build ones process, in light of more findings, and further refining the themes addressed.