Architectural Manifesto - Video

The systemic framework
Architecture exists as a part of the complex, dynamic and self-governing system of the built environment, a part of the built fabric of society in which every day behavior, culture and practices, are intricately related to the notion of place. Thus is defined the architect’s field of operation, which involves peoples individual and collective customs & daily rituals, staged on the platform of space. To this, we hold to these principles:

Recognizing complexity, designing simplicity
Understanding the systemic complexity of the collective users, space, and built form of a place; as well as the unique nature of relationships between these, is a driver for context sensitive spatial design responses. Familiarity with the complexity and processes is a generator for simple, meaningful responses. 

People in mind
A place is not only its material, but also its inhabitants, and their complex, layered practices. Thus the dynamic nature of users (collective and individual) in the making and sustaining of a place is to be kept in mind. 

Designing impact
Understanding the complexity of a context, it is within the reach of spatial designers to make an intentional, considered impact, through design, for the benefit of users. 
What architecture does is just as important as what it is, and more important that what it looks like: if what it looks like does not contribute to what it does (This referring to the effect and impact of architecture, rather that programmatic function).

A catalytic agent 
The complex nature of the built environment is greater than the architect. In designing impact, architecture is thus a catalyst, a means to the end of contributing to the system: spatially, aesthetically, functionally or whatever opportunity a place invites of the spatial designer. The architect is thus contributor and not as controller, and architecture is thus a valuable (yet limited) instrument.

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.