architecture student magazine 2018
contents 2
‘Ora Joubert
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1st Year Student Work
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2nd Year Student Work
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3rd Year Student Work
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4th Year Student Work
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5th Year Student Work
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Monuments Matter
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South Africa Sweden University Forum
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Creative Research in Architecture at UFS
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Winter School 2018
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New CBC Classrooms
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AZA 2018, a Winner
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A5 2018
From the Editor
Katlego Nkomo Altus Le Roux Muller Ferreira Henry Coertz Marcus Chigawa
From the Editor
Marcus Chigawa
When putting together something as intricate as the A Mag, one can only hope to fully encapsulate everything the UFS Architecture Department stands for at the same time meet the needs of the intended viewer. The A Mag has always served as a platform to exhibit our department’s hard work and efforts in the Architecture profession and with this year’s edition I hope to follow suit. Over the many years subsequent to the establishment of The UFS Architecture Department, this institution has been responsible for the cultivation of many prominent architects within South Africa and with this A Mag edition being distributed at the 30th Sophia Gray Memorial Lecture, we hope to compliment the celebration with this publication. It has taken a spirit bomb of effort to eventually produce this publication, but as you flip through each page I hope you are filled with nothing but relief and pride. As this year’s editor, I would like to thank all those who made a contribution, the sponsors, the staff being Henry Pretorius, Jako Olivier and Zelda Bronkhost, to Johannes Deetlefs and his graphic design team at Silverrocket Creative and the A TEAM, but more importantly the students who, without their amazing work, none of this would be possible.
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architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
UYTENBOOGAARDT 1990 ROELOF
BRITZ 2005 BANNIE
GALLAGHER 1993 GLEN
2008 VDMMA
BARNETT 1994 JACK
MEIRING 1995 HANNES
PETERS 2009 WALLY
WASSERFALL 2010 JACO
PRACTICE VAN DER MERWE MISZEWSKI ARCHITECTS. MS. ANJA VAN DER MERWE MISZEWSKI & MR MACIO MISZEWKI
MEYER 1992 WILLIE
NOERO 2007 JO
ANDREW MAKIN & JANINA MASOJADA
(GAWIE) FAGAN 2006 DESIGNWORKSHOP: SA 1991 GABRIËL
FASSLER-KAMSTRA 1989 MIRA
MIKULA 2004 PAUL
NAUDÉ SANTOS 1998 ADÈLE
DIAMOND 1999 JACK
SAITOWITZ 2000 STANLEY
LOUW 2001 HENTIE
KAROL 2002 LOUIS
BUCHANAN 2003 PETER
OTTEN 2013 KATE
ROSE ARCHITECTS 2014 MASHABANE
ROODT 2015 ANTON
STRATFORD 2016 AL
PROOME ARCHITECTS 2017 ELPHICK
JOUBERT 2018 ‘ORA
2011
FOX 1997 REVEL
1996
PANCHO GUEDES
PETER RICH
FIELD 2012 STAN
Thursday, 30 August 2018
LA PROMENADE ARCHITECTURALE
Kopanong Auditorium Kovsiekerk D F Malherbe Avenue, Bloemfontein
PROFESSOR ‘ORA JOUBERT
Oliewenhuis Art Museum 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein
A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND SPACE
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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’ORA JOUBERT A
s this year the Architecture Department is hosting the 30th Annual Sophia Gray Memorial Lecture, there is no doubt that it will be an exceptionally prestigious event. It is then almost fitting to have this year’s lecture be presented by one of the most prestigious architects in the country, Ora Joubert. Ora Joubert was born and raised in Pretoria where she attended and matriculated from Hoër Afrikaans Meisieskool. Thereafter she obtained a BArch degree over five years with cum laude at the University of Pretoria, a MScArch degree at the Pennsylvania State University in the USA, and a PhD at the University of Natal in South Africa.
She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including eight Awards of Merit from the South African Institute of Architects, the Corobrick House of the Year Award, three Dulux Colour Awards and a landscape design award. Her work even received local and international acclaim in over fifty publications, including Australian, British, Chinese, Hungarian and Russian journals. It comes as little surprise that she was cited as one of the most internationally esteemed architects under the age of forty in the 2001 publication of 40 Architects Under 40. (Cargill-Thompson, 2001) Her work also featured in The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture in 2004. (Phaidon, 2004) In 2009, she was the convener and editor of the 450 page reference book on contemporary South African Architecture, 10+ years 100+ buildings, which received an award of Excellence from the South African Institute of Architecture the following year. With multiple of her own articles, books or contributions in books, there is no question that this year’s Sophia Gray Memorial Lecture will be an insightful experience. Information available from: https://www.artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/archframes. php?archid=2110https://www.artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/archframes.php?archid=2110
Photos by Francois Swanepoel | www.flickr.com/photos/61506334@N04/albums/72157686473351943
Between 1986 and 1989, Joubert worked as an in-house architect for the Get Ahead Foundation where she initiated art and architectural programmes for township children. Apart from being in private practice since 1990, she also lectured both part and full-time at multiple institutions in South Africa and America. She was appointed as Head of the Department of Architecture at the University of the Free State from 2001 to 2004 where after she accepted the headship of the architecture, landscape architecture and interior architecture programmes of Pretoria until 2008.
Altus le Roux
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architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
Image supplied by ‘Ora Joubert. architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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Nicola Smuts
Research Hub Conceptually, my design for a Research Hub explores the nature of human existence. Why did we evolve? Which factors was at play ? And finally: what makes us human? To me the answer is art, creativity and our cognitive ability which separated us from prehistoric hominids. The topological organisation is thus based on the pure geometry as seen in prehistoric cave paintings. The entrance gives the visitor the experience of sinking into a cave as it leads down the slope of the site. A reception space and lounge opens up to the North to reveal a magnificent cosmic view. A cross axis defines the datum- one being a dolomite feature wall that separates formal educational facilities from informal leisure and accommodation spaces; the other being a pathway that pierces through the complex to connect the two exhibition spaces and symbolizing man’s evolutionary journey. A centralized fire pit/Lapa (referring to prehistoric tradition of hunting and gathering) becomes the point of hierarchy as it has an individual relationship to almost all other spaces in the complex. The aims was to capture the essence of our humanity, sense of community and creativity in a work of architecture.
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architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
Lunell Greyling
Grave Scheme For this project I had to design a grave scheme for Angus Taylor. He mostly works with materials found in nature that he uses to make huge figures challenging human scale. I used different levels, sunken into the ground to elevated, to emphasize the scale of his art works. The grave scheme uses materials from the environment to relate with Angus Taylor’s artworks.
Altus le Roux
Romantic Retreat Romantic: the vallei van sewe damme inspired me to create a building that is suspended from two supporting steel beams. This design is a reinterpretation of building on stilts. Similar to the cosmic design, the design is more elongated to ensure maximum views from every room.
051 011 272 / 051 447 4909
fsadmin@saia.org.za
www.saiafs.org.za
Fischer House, 72 President Steyn Ave, Westdene, Bloemfontein
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Phillip du Preez
Wire Model
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architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
Marcus Chigawa
First Dwelling Being thrown into a shark tank with little to no tools to survive, the outcome can go one of two ways: you either drown, or fight to survive. This is a visual representation of how our 1st year has been and I know my fellow peers will agree. The Rag Farm site served as the perfect Cosmic Landscape. Accompanied with reeds, bamboo, straw, mud and other raw materials, the first dwelling hut project was a great application of ancient hut building principles. In many ways, it has taught us a great deal about hand made structures and also alot about independence and self reliance from the start of the First dwelling project right through to the Research Hub. The First dwelling project was a teaching tool in itself as it broke the ice amongst our fellow peers and taught us how to coordinate within groups and assembling a project that incorporates multiple perspectives and ideas. This year’s First dwelling project was a great success, mainly because of the lack of rain and cooperative weather conditions. I speak for everyone when I say that it brought a lot of people together and taught us a lot about ourselves; this is something that only a project like the First Dwelling is capable of doing and in many ways I am thankful for it.
Henry Coertz, Melita Wittmann, Bianca Cronje, Ilona Theron
Ane Meyer, Rethabile Setjeo, Lodewyk Meyer, Ruchelle Taljaard
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
Gerhard Pretorius, Phillip du Preez, Lunell Greyling, Sanette Schreurs
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Gaby Chemaly
Pavilion Kat and the Kings is a play which is based on District Six during the period of forced removal which took place during Apartheid. This urged me to develop the concept of how these actions left important vibrant spaces vacant and soulless and how, due to the Reconciliation, these places have once again become as colourful as in the past. This then influenced my design where you walk along a historical axis to come to a sudden and dramatic change, leading you down a path of vibrancy with nodes of importance which lead you towards the theater.
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architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
Jaco van der Watt
Nomadic Living Exhibition This nomadic living exhibition is designed to serve as a multipurpose stage which also has the feature of being utilized as a dwelling and a swiftly functional restaurant. Traditional Hard Rock CafÊ’s intrigue customers by having additional features such as shows being performed while having a delicious meal. The emphasis is pinned on the stage, since it will be exhibited at the 2017 Kunstefees in Bloemfontein at the Rooiplein, with the restaurant acting as a subsidiary utility.
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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Linka Bitzer
Urban Regeneration: Thaba N’chu This project, following two weeks of site visits and analysis, requires the designer to create meaningful interactions between domestic and urban building spaces. Where these lines overlap and blur are vital to the success of this project, as there should be enough accommodation for 10 living units, that should be adaptable and enough commercial design interventions to not only improve on the previously existing infrastructure, but to accommodate the unaccommodated and fill the gaps in the urban fabric.
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architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
Stephan Diedericks
Conservation: Ramkraal Prison
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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Gaby Linder-Haber & Mohammed Mukhtar
PPC Imaginarium The early history of Bloemfontein is a story intimately connected with the availability of water. The most immediate determining factor in street orientation was the flow of Bloemspruit.
axis created by Church street. What started as a fortuitous cardo and decumanus had been made explicit. The market square is on the north-south institutional axis. Market Square helped create a clear urban order.
The narrow opening through which Bloemspruit used to flow was widened resulting in these western areas to lower. This resulted in the development of King’s Park.
Important axes are used from Second Avenue and the Old Market Square in connection to existing paths found on site.
The project thinks creatively to the matters of built heritage. Clear observations to the fragmentation and systematic restruction of King’s Park.
Their functions are brought back into the park representing the memory of city as well as the presence of Second Avenue into this space.
An important development is the setting out of Market Square, which is today known as Hoffman Square. The square was dissected by the new
The design also uses and restores all existing pathways and historical landmarks as nodes around the site.
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architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
WINNER:
STEPHAN DIEDERICKS
PG BISON Winner
Stephan Diedericks
REPROCESS FOR REUSE Framing the place | Accommodating | The Delta Recycletorium The question: Food that reaches its sell by date in supermarkets is usually disposed of, but it has not yet reached its best before date. What happens to this food?
The answer: This food will be repurposed and prepared in the Delta Recycletorium (Recycle + torium) as gourmet meals.
The reuse of food leads to the reuse of abandoned shipping containers. The reuse of otherwise lost things relinks the restaurant with the original 1935 function of the Delta Sewage Works (reusing brown water). The shipping containers dematerialize, therefore dematerializing the art deco typology. The idea was based on having a light tectonic structure (Not building) that attaches to the old structure. The main design challenge was to find a way of integrating the art deco style of the 1920’s into a modern format. The idea of using shipping containers as a method of abstracting the strong art deco style came about. These containers are used as a central theme throughout the design. In the outside space, for users of the restaurant, the original trees were kept and the containers ere put onto a rail system where they move in Framing the place between the trees. The users can thus move the containers back and Accommodating forth the railRecycletorium system. TheonDelta
Another factor was the integration of a parkrun refreshment area, since this was the very site of the first parkrun congregation in South Africa. The interior of the restaurant lightened up by the addition of a skylight and the furnishing was all custom designed by myself to fit the art deco style. The rustic lights were designed by myself. The brief also required the use of DuPont Corian and this was used in all the furniture and some of the internal finishing. The connection between the restaurant and the outside space was made possible tough a hydraulic lift shaft.
PG BISON COMPETITION 2017
WINNER:
STEPHAN DIEDERICKS
It was a great honour to be the first UFS student to win the BG bison competition. DuPont™ Corian® was used in the internal finishes of the design.
REPROCESS FOR REUSE The question: Food that reaches its sell by date in supermarkets is usually disposed of, but it has not yet reached its best before date. What happens to this food? The answer: This food will be repurposed and prepared in the Delta Recycletorium (Recycle + torium) as gourmet meals. The reuse of food leads to the reuse of abandoned shipping containers.The reuse of otherwise lost things relinks the restaurant with the original 1935 function of the Delta Sewage Works (reusing brown water). The shipping containers dematerialize, therefore dematerializing the art deco typology. The idea was based on having a light tectonic structure (Not building) that attaches to the old structure. The main deign challenge was to find a way of integrating the art deco stile of the 1920’s into a modern format. The idea of using shipping containers as a method of abstracting the strong art deco style came about. These containers are used as a central theme throughout the design. In the outside space, for users of the restaurant, the original trees were kept and the containers ere put onto a rail system where they move in between the trees. The users can thus move the containers back and forth on the rail system. Another factor was the integration of a parkrun refreshment area, since this was the very site of the first parkrun congregation in South Africa. The interior of the restaurant lightened up by the addition of a skylight and the furnishing was all custom designed by myself to fir the art deco style. Even the rustic lights were designed by myself. The brief also required the use of DuPont Corian and this was used in all the furniture of the internal finishing. The connection between the restaurant and the outside space was made Framingand thesome place possible tough a hydraulic lift shaft. Accommodating It was a great honour The Delta Recycletorium to be the first UFS student to win the BG bison competition.
REPROCESS FORCorian® REUSE was used in the internal finishes of the design. Du DuPont™ The question: Food that reaches its sell by date in supermarkets is usually disposed of, but it has not yet reached its best before date. What happens to this food? The answer: This food will be repurposed and prepared in the Delta Recycletorium (Recycle + torium) as gourmet meals. The reuse of food leads to the reuse of abandoned shipping containers.The reuse of otherwise lost things relinks the restaurant with the original 1935 function of the Delta Sewage Works (reusing brown water). The architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state shipping containers dematerialize, therefore dematerializing the art deco typology. The idea was based on17
Phadi Mabe
Conservation Scheme The preservation of the relationship between urban sacredness and profane is instigated through the reactivation of President Brand Cemetery and the Old Artillery Barracks as a centre for mnemonic and melancholic ritual. The centre introduces a Crematorium and Columbarium walls to the cemetery as a spiritual and physical rejuvenation of the necropolis which cannot accommodate further burials. The re-activation of this sacred landscape and neglected ruins was conceptualised through blurring the boundary between the urban sacred and profane. The line is blurred by introducing a pedestrian pathway through the cemetery that pierces through the Old Barrack Artillery building creating a gateway and a bridge into the abyss.
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architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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Re-imagining the Ruin
Katie Klemp
Within the context of a 2017 Post-Apartheid South Africa, society has become accustomed to physically expressing their frustrations when they believe they are being exploited.
I then began taking note of the important buildings in the area. Among them were the Sand du Plessis and the Civic theatres, along with a vast number of other important civic buildings.
The 21st of June 2017 is a day that can be used as an example of what can be expected when such an occasion arises. It marks that day that the Bloemfontein City Hall got caught in the crossfire (pun intended) between the poke and the South African Municipal Workers Union over guaranteed salary revisions (Matena, 2017: online). The central part of the building was set alight in the process and consequently, the entire hall and its roof were destroyed.
It. therefore. became clear that the opportunity to create a performing arts precinct within the inner city of Bloemfontein had presented itself. This cultural district would propose a connection between the City Hall, the Civic Theatre and the Sand du Plessis Theatre.
The resulting ruin and the complex circumstances surrounding its creation intrigued me and influenced me to choose the City Hall as the site for my mini-dissertation. In order to make an informed decision about what type of building the site would house. I began investigating my site. Among the civic functions generally associated with a city hall, it was also used to host a variety of different types of performances. During my research, I also discovered that the City Hall houses the National Drama Library, which is the biggest drama library in South Africa. It is a unique resource which remained undamaged and which is exclusive to Bloemfontein.
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However, due to the presence of the vastly underutilised National Drama Library and the unusual circumstances surrounding the City Hall. an element of learning and healing needed to be introduced along with the cultural precinct. Therefore a performing arts school which would better utilise the drama library, is relevant on this historic and complicated site. The theoretical lens through which the investigation will be approached will view the events that took place at the City Hall as a Social Drama (as defined by Victor Turner) which resulted in a ruin. The proposed building and resulting performing arts precinct will be designed according to Lebbeus Woods’ notion of the scar which will be adapted to form “the medical metaphor�. The end product will assist in revitalising the inner city. as well as healing the community that lives and works there.
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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Urban Project
Sander van Leusden
Project “Liquid Gold” is a Sustainable architectural project aiming on harvesting water and providing it to the socio-economic disadvantaged group. This through Ecofeminism values, entailing breaking oppressive frameworks upon human and nature, this is done in “Liquid Gold” through addressing the inbetween of the natural and human environment and by that aiming to create a relationship of compassion and understanding between these two different worlds.
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architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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Madeli Beyers
Inner-city Youth Art Centre This is an Arts Education Centre for at-risk, low-income household youth that live in and around the city of Bloemfontein. Inspired by the Inner-City Arts program in Los Angeles, this intervention aims to demonstrate how architecture can make a meaningful impact on communities. The focus of the organization is not the type of art that is taught but rather the personal development of the youth. Therefore, the architecture should focus on creating the correct environment for this learning process as well as understanding the technical and spatial requirements of a multi-disciplinary arts center. Conceptually, this project was approached from the idea of ludic space, encouraging exploration and play by creating a sense of safety. Tucked away in the center of a city block, the scheme becomes a safe space, a
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world within a world where the children are free to discover and develop their potential apart from their socio-economic circumstances. This sense of safety, enhanced by the placement of several buildings tucked into the different nooks of the site, creates pockets of intimate outside spaces for the children to explore. The form of the architecture plays an important role in creating a place of play. By exploring the different ways in which a single wall can be curved to create a interior and exterior, the morphology is interesting as a design exercise, but also creates an exciting environment for the users that encourages exploration as they move through the site.
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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INNER-CITY YOUTH ART CENTRE
INNER-CITY YOUTH ART CENTRE
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First floor
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Plan development sketches
Second floor
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Foyer Staff office Reading room Ceramics classroom Student toilets Cafeteria Kitchen Service yard Art classroom Performance space Backstage Balcony
Form-space exploration
Long section - technical
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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Jaco Willemse
Industrial Design School: Waaihoek Precinct, Bloemfontein My interest in designing an Industrial Design School has grown from an exposure to various design schools across the country. My knowledge and experience of a design schools is either through being enrolled as a student at different architectural schools, through engagement with friends studying within other design fields at other universities, or by interacting with other students from other faculties during teamwork projects. I have developed a keen interest in the methods of design and design training within their respective fields. Whilst completing my honours degree in architecture, I’ve done a mini dissertation on designing an off-campus School of Architecture through focusing on immersive training. The exploration and outcome of that project showed numerous benefits of integrating the process of training students within the setting of the ‘real world’, where the students are faced with everyday activities of a diverse community of people, street vendors, homeless people and the actual functioning of pedestrian everyday life. I wish to venture further into the concept of immersive training by exploring the current city culture within Waaihoek precinct, and the possibility of an intricate correlation between the everyday city dweller and an Industrial Design School. The question begs, how does an Industrial Design School embrace a fast-moving generation that comes up with new ideas daily? The project should embrace this character of today’s generation. The two
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main focuses of the project are: (1) to design a school that prevents creative ideas from being lost, undeveloped or unexplored; and (2) to design an off-campus, city-based Industrial Design School which embraces immersive training. This exploration will develop around the idea of what an Industrial Design School in Bloemfontein could mean for the public and how the public could influence the process and outcome of industrial design. By engaging on street level, ideas from the userbase or public can be salvaged before being lost due to the inability of hidden prospective designers/people who due to a lack of opportunity can’t attend a design school and receive formal training. Ideas, in general, are fast-moving and can become easily layered or stacked within a hyper-creative setting, posing the possibility of only a one dimensional linear exploration. Without the investigation of multidimensional platforms during the creating process of design, a multitude of ideas can get lost or remain within the unexplored realms of creativity. The project aims to capture and develop these ideas before they get lost and can possibly guide the creative process in an entirely different direction. It will also attempt to bring the design abilities of industrial design students and the creativity of the public within a shared sphere where people can exchange ideas, interact and re-articulate a design dialogue, providing the opportunities for unknown designers to emerge and become part of the design community.
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
Page 120 | Industrial Design School| Design and Technical Synthesis
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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Paul Whitehead
African Design & Artist Hub Dwelling vs Threshold - the inverse
A place of celebration is proposed as an African Design & Artisan Hub. The Artist Hub will be located on the corner of Charles and Aliwal Street in the Central Bussiness District (CBD) of Bloemfontein. The African Design exhibition will be an urban design project that will be embedded into the surrounding context such as Hertzog Square, the Fourth Raadsaal and Miriam Makeba street (previously known as Elizabeth Street). The aim of the project is to create an inclusive space in the CBD of Bloemfontein that will attract persons from different socio economic backgrounds because there is a divide that was created historically. When different persons start interacting, the opportunity for healing will arise. The interest in this typology stems from my experience in the design and fashion industry. There is a need for an Artist Hub with workshops, studios and retail space that are centrally located. Interviewing local artists, craftsmen and retailers confirmed this need. An analysis is done on existing thresholds, public spaces and current edges within the CBD. This dissertation firstly identifies the challenges and then looks at the aims and the research question to find a possible solution for the specific problem. Research, analyses and interpretation of theoretical literature are done on the topic. Precedents studies of project with similar typological functions are studied. The research that is being done is then used to form concepts and theories to create a design and technical synthesis. Finally the complete investigation process is evaluated to determine the accomplishments and failures of the solutions for the problem.
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The Urban Museum consists of Historic Pods that are embedded in the immediate context as well into the broader context of Bloemfontein. The Pods aimed to not only create awareness for the creative industry but also to create s space for “differences� to meet and to educate them on the history of our country. The project developed into having two parts namely, the Hub that is accessible to all by day, but that can be closed at night for the comfort and safety of the creatives. This is done using a bar on wheels to enclose the Artist Hub, and acts as space which activates the public space where people can socialise at night. Other functions that also activate the public space at night includes the main museum, street cafe and two art galleries, as well as the Historical Pods. The location of the residential block moved a few times in the design because it was regarded as historically insensitive and structurally it made no sense. The final location of the residential block is now on the Northern side of the project but stepped back from the street level to accommodate the historical National Museum and to bring down the scale of the building to not alienate the pedestrians. The design process was an educational journey, from the interaction with the lecturers, externals and my peers. I learned that the way in which people experience life and architecture differs from person to person and that one should have respect for that. I hope that people will realise that this was also one of the aims of the design of this building to create a space where people will be able to meet regardless of their differences.
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
Fig 111. Northern perspective from the corner of the National Museum showing the street cafe and design museum to the right and the art gallery in the centre and the artist hub to the right.
AFRICAN DESIGN & ARTIST HUB |
THE INVERSE
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Fig 112. Perspectiveof the North facade with the National Museum to the right of the image.
PART 3 110
Elevation of the African Design and Artist Hub. architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, universityFig of103. the North free state
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Lea Botha
A Hydroponic Farming Complex as Part of the Inner-city regeneration of Newtown, Johannesburg
The investigation started with an interest in how the city keeps on adapting to socio-economic and social condition as well as innovation. Through change and adaption some spaces in the city lose their previous function and open up opportunities for an urban intervention. An intervention that will react on existing urban systems and functions in the city. The proposed site has an empty rooftop as well as derelict buildings. This dissertation will attempt to investigate how an architectural intervention can react to these dead spaces. To not only bring to life a new function but also link in and connect to the current urban ecology. The broader urban approach is explored in the conceptual development. The three models each explore a different approach to edges. The conceptual essence of the project focuses on the city as an assemblage. The overlay of physical and metaphorical systems form layers that the architectural intervention penetrates. The meeting point of socioeconomic layers, physical boundaries, production processes and the architectural intervention form the nodes that link into the urban ecology. The background of the dissertation’s research question is derived from the analysis of context. The analysis exposes a series of historical as well as current systems and effects in the city. Identifying what systems, problems and processes the dissertation seeks to explore and investigate leads to a research question as well as theory that will assist the design’s morphology in a South African context. This means that the historical, commercial and South African logic of place must first be understood to form a research question about Newtown that is applicable to the aim of the design. The current inner-city regeneration of the cultural precinct is driven by a new injection of commercial investment. Developers are revitalising the old urban fabric and opening opportunities for interventions to celebrate the South African city with architecture that supports its functions in a complex field of the formal and informal sector. In 2000 Newtown was identified by the Department of Trade and Industry for its potential as an area to undergo urban renewal. The renewal was focused on three main objectives: innovation, technology and industry.
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Urban upgrades where done to the Mary Fitzgerald Square as well as turning Turbine Hall into an event space. The Newtown Junction Mall development was opened as well as Brickfields housing complex. Further housing developments is also planned in the area. Accommodating the taxi transport industry as well as informal trade in the city, Metro Mall Taxi Rank was developed on the edge of Newtown. This research document explores the agent architecture can explore to be to the urban renewal. To even further investigate the impact and effect of the regeneration of Newtown this dissertation explores the introduction an urban farming complex and enterprise development centre in the precinct . Utilising an empty parcade rooftop for farming space and derelict buildings to accomodate new functions such as an enterprise development centre, market and restaurant. Architecture as an art form is an agent to change. It also contributes to a variation of fields that include physical, social and conceptual changes. The proposed hydroponic farming complex seeks to push boundaries in the South African urban landscape by accommodating new agricultural technology in the city. But also, forming itself around the thought of accommodating human-sized experiences and everyday interactions of the city’s users. Having the opportunity to design a proposed project in my home town was of great interest for me. Although challenging to accommodate varies sectors and social group it excites me to think what architecture can possibly contribute to in a city. The city of Johannesburg is ever changing, keeping urban designers, developers and architects on their toes. This dissertation is a representation of one of many ways of interpreting the current urban regeneration that is taking place. The research I have done contributed to my insight on how to realistically approach a design in the city in terms of clients, users and materials. It also gave me enough time to delve into the technical part of the design, to make sure the systems and design of the building could possibly work. The experience of a Master’s degree is not only intimidating but also daunting during some parts but the privilege of being able to design and seek answers to our everyday questions overpowers the fear. I look forward to my future in the architectural world, seeking new opportunities to bring change of any scale to people’s everyday environments.
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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121 ++
M , A R+C H + - MH, A YR DC RH O P- O N H IYCD F RA ORP M O INNI G C C FA OR MM P ILNE G X , CN OEMW PT LO EX W, NN E W T O W N
I n t e r iI o n rt evriiew o r voifew the o fgtrhow e g i nr g ow ce i nngt rce e ’ sn tvoye r e ’ s rvoye s p a rces p a ce
sectio se ncatli o pn ea r sl ppeecrtsip ve e c toi fvet h e o fgtrhow e g i nr g ow tu i nngn et u l sn o nn e l tshoenexs t h ei s exs t i n gi sp t ianrg- p a r cade cade
++ 118
++ 118
119 ++
+ +
M,ARCH -
119 ++
HYDROPONIC FARMING COMPLEX, NEWTOWN
E n t ra n ce t o t h e g r ow i n g ce n t r e a n d p u b l i c co u r t ya r d E x t e r i o r v i ew o f t h e r e s t a u ra n t ++ 116
117 ++
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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Monuments Matter
Hendrik Auret
Figure 1: Unveiling of the MT Steyn Statue (collection of the Free State Provincial Archive Repository – VA 5594).
Figure 2: Using a work of art to question a work of art (author).
M
onuments are strange things. They seem stable, predictable and enduring, yet their meanings migrate and their roles shift. Instances of regime change or liberation may render old assumptions untenable and in South Africa there are monuments once meant to commemorate laudable achievements that have become symbols of the oppressive systems of the past. For some, photographs of the once festive inauguration ceremonies now cast a harsh and bitter light on the deeply divisive situations earlier monuments were struggling to uphold. The challenge facing the current generation is how to make sense of the monuments bestowed to us in a way that will dignify the heritage, memory and present lived situation of all stakeholders. One such contested monument, is the statue of President M.T. Steyn in front of the Main Building of the University of the Free State. I would like to say many things, but fortunately the actions of university management, students and staff have provided a chance, a moment of pause, to listen instead.
reflected, maybe with the observer now as part of the picture? Freed from the univocal respect demanded by its power position, new perspectives and oblique views of the statue allows one to look with new eyes. A suggestion box is provided and reflections-suggestions have streamed in. Much more effective than new information being provided, the new work asks us to interpret for ourselves; a move from research and dissemination to reflection and contemplation. Instead of imposing ‘facts’ the work beckons creative participation. I, for one, am keen to hear what students think when they are encouraged to creatively contemplate our current dilemma.
Dedicated to following the due process in terms of heritage laws, yet cognizant of the real concerns of the current student population, the university’s task force chose to think about the statue, a work of art, by adding a new work of art that provokes new narratives and conditions: a triangular reflective prism used as a conversation-starter. The main objective achieved by the prism was to, by means of its reflective surface, visually ‘remove’ the Steyn statue from its position of power on the historical axis without covering the statue or rendering it inaccessible. From some perspectives the statue is hazily
The new work undermines the old statue but also begs us to reconsider its merits. What do we win or lose when we dismantle monuments; even those we despise? What does it help us to think in terms of winning and losing? Above all, monuments should remind of what matters to us. If we are lucky they will also lead us to reflect, as expressed by Alain de Botton in The Architecture of Happiness (2006:106), on the deeper reasons why anything matters to us at all: “Why are we vulnerable, so inconveniently vulnerable, to what the spaces we inhabit are saying?”
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The construction of the prism happened at a dizzying pace in order to show students that the University took their grievances seriously, and here I would be remiss to not single out the dedication and shrewd resolve displayed by Kobus du Preez who successfully managed the construction process and deadlines against all odds.
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
South Africa Sweden University Forum (SASUF): Urban Rural Research Seminar 14,15 May 2018 T
he South Africa–Sweden University Forum is a new strategic internationalisation project running from 2017–2020 with the overall aim of strengthening ties between Sweden and South Africa in research, education and innovation.
Wanda Verster
Research Assistant Wanda Verster organised a satellite event for the SASUF Research Week with the help of the A5 and Masters’ students. This was done with support from the Department of Urban and Regional planning as well as the office of international affairs. The satellite event was co-hosted with the Central University of Technology, FS. The event, titled Rural Urban Dynamic was a two day research seminar attended by UFS and CUT researchers as well as Prof Nils Ekelund and Dr Per Schubert from Malmö University, Sweden. Through the assistance of the Free State branch of the South African Institute of Architects the event was validated by the Department of Architecture (as an accredited Architecture Learning Site), as a category 1 CPD event. This encouraged the attendance of several local architects and associated built environment professionals. CUT and UFS academics presented on quite a few topics ranging from secondary cities, to grass roots housing challenges and spatial dynamics of Bloemfontein and Thaba Nchu. A highlight was a walking tour of the history of the main UFS campus presented by Kobus du Preez with his usual flair and enthusiasm. The exhibition at the UFS for this seminar included work by the BArch students in their third year. Their projects based in Thaba Nchu illustrated the unique challenges designers face in secondary cities and rural spaces. Conference posters by students from Urban and Regional planning and models by the BArch Hons students also formed part of the exhibition. This exhibit was installed early with the help of the students so it could also be viewed during the faculty Open Day.
From the left are: Prof Nils Ekelund from Malmö University in Sweden; Buhleng Masake, Honours student in Spatial Planning at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the UFS; Per Schubert from Malmö University in Sweden; and Wanda Verster, UFS Department of Architecture. Photo: Leonie Bolleurs architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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Prof. Jonathan Noble
Creative Research in Architecture at UFS A
rchitecture is undoubtedly a practise, one that operates within the constraints and opportunities of a real world. It is perhaps surprising therefore, that practise-based research came slowly to architecture. The more traditional modes of doctoral study in architecture have tended to be in the domains of architectural history, theory and criticism, conservation and urbanism. These of course have remained firmly in place. Yet in recent years, new forms of creative, or practise-based research have entered the academy to supplement these established ways. In the mid 80’s, the architecture program at RMIT in Australia, initiated one of the first design-based research programs for architects. In their so called ‘Invitational Program’, practising architects with an established body of good work, were invited back to the university with the opportunity of embarking on a journey of self-reflection. An invitation to consolidate and study their built work, and to write this up as a Masters or a PhD thesis. The program at RMIT has been tremendously successful, with a growing global network of associated schools. Creative research has spread rapidly in recent years, with art and design schools across Europe and America further developing this field. Crossing various economies, technologies, environments, scenarios, role players and flows, architectural design creates new relations between things. Practise-based research allows for an inquiry into this intricate web of connections, with a view to extracting the complex modes of thought and action that are required for success in design – research that recognises the intelligence and ingenuity of design. The primary objective is to harvest and study the implicit orientations, operations and achievements of design, and to enlist creativity in the forming of new knowledge. It is a mode of study that facilitates analytical reflection, stimulates creative action and opens new insights into the unique logic of design. Perhaps the simplest way to explain what creative research amounts too, is to distinguish the ‘product’ from that of conventional study. A traditional PhD might consist of a written document of some 80 000 words. The emphasis is placed upon verbal discussion and argument, and images are mostly included as forms of evidence. A creative PhD, however, might be split 50/50 between a written study of say 40 000 words, together with an equivalent in the form of creative work. In other words, the ‘designed’ aspect of the thesis is valued on its own terms as a creative form of inquiry, one that supplements the written or discursive component of the study. The Architecture Department at the University of the Free State is pleased to have established a new practise-based research program, a first for South Africa (and possibly for the continent). The program is supported by two new degrees, a Masters and a PhD in Architecture with Specialisation in Design. The creative research program launched in 2018, with 14 PhD candidates, and 5 Masters who intend to progress onto doctoral study. The program is aimed at architects with a five year BArch degree and successful design experience, as well as younger MArch graduates who wish to explore creative research. It is envisaged that PhD study might be ‘practise-based’ or ‘design-led’. Practised-based study is suited to architects with some 5 to 10 years of
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accomplished work experience. It is anticipated that such candidates will embark upon a process of self-discovery to capture and evaluate the inner workings of their design process and to imagine creative futures for their work – curating and writing this up as form of research. Design-led study, by contrast, is better suited to younger candidates who, as yet, lack a recognised body of work. Candidates who might wish to explore an entirely new design-led research project. For example, exploring poetic, technical, historic, social or ecological aspects of design. In either case the PhD aims to curate and explain a body of work in the form of a book, an exhibition and verbal presentation. Some examples of current research at UFS, in the new program, are provided on the accompanying page, which hopefully provide some insight into the wide ranging opportunities that are afforded by this form of study. Jon Jacobs and Pieter Mathews are award-winning architects with a celebrated body of work. Each are currently completing the creative Masters as a stepping-stone toward an intended practise-based PhD on their respective built works. For his Masters, Jacobs is looking deep into the improvisational aspects of his design process (see drawings by Jacobs, Figure 4). Using the analogy of jazz, Jacobs intends to study his architectural sketch books, where multiple alternatives are explored. Momentary and serial improvisation with concepts, needs, forms and ‘standards’. Mathews has had extensive experience as a curator of exhibitions and architectural installations (see exhibition by Mathews, Figure 3). His Masters will delve into the role of the architect as curator. Documenting and studying the uniquely spatial and conceptual architectures of display that have emerged from his practise. Jan Smit and Marie Herbst, in their individual ways, are concerned with relationships that emerge between painting and design. Smit, an award winning-architect, is doing a practised-based PhD, hoping to study the particular qualities of his working process and architecture. Much of his work is inspired by landscape, and landscape painting often features as an entry point into his design process (see watercolour by Smit, Figure 2). The architectural mediation of landscape through painting is a leading theme that his PhD hopes to develop and study through further creative exploration. Trained as an architect Herbst has had scarce opportunity to develop her long term interest in abstract painting. Her creative Masters hopes to explore pathways between abstraction, painting and design. To study the work of well know painter-architects, and to make her own painterly explorations, as a path toward a design-led PhD within a similar vein (see painting by Herbst, Figure 5) Martie Bitzer is doing a design-led PhD on the theme of skin. Looking at how forms, processes and metaphors of skin might inform her design and art-based practise (see artistic exploration by Bitzer, Figure 1). She intends to make numerous creative explorations of skin, linked to inter-disciplinary study, structured by the themes of wrapping, layering and connecting. And lastly, further noteworthy topics of inquiry include: African cosmopolitanism, architectural atmosphere, the anatomy of hospitals, organic structures, neuroscience, homelessness, economic housing and scenario planning.
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
BArch and MArch Applicants Candidates with an MArch may enter directly into the new PhD program. For candidates with the former five year BArch degree, it should be noted that South African universities are bound by national qualification standards which rate a BArch differently to an MArch degree – and this, despite the fact that SACAP acknowledge professional equivalence. For which reason, candidates with the former five year BArch must complete a one year Masters before gaining admission to a PhD. A new creative research degree – ‘Masters of Architecture with Specialization in Design’ – has been introduced at UFS, to provide a dedicated gateway into the program. It is important to note that the new Masters with Specialization in Design is a design-oriented research degree, and not a professional Masters, which allows for a more open ended and enquiring freedom. The new research program at UFS, thus, is carefully structured to accommodate the ‘anomaly’ of the former five year BArch degree, and allows for an effective and seamless transition into PhD studies for candidates who enter with the former professional degree.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Duration of Study The first year of study is crucial in that a candidate must establish a topic and define an intended research plan. The year is aided by four research symposia in January, April, June and August, which introduce the candidate to methods that are relevant to creative research, and allow for presentation, feedback and discussion with supervisors and fellow candidates. Subsequent years of study, however, require two symposia a year. The symposia provide an enabling framework that works to guide and prompt new avenues of creation and thought. The symposia of 2018 have proved to be tremendously successful, with a positive, generous and energising spirt. Our candidates have flown in from across SA, for the intensive week of discovery and critical review. And, good progress has been made by all. At the end of the first year of study, successful candidates who entered with a BArch have the option to either exit with a Masters, or to use this as a path toward a PhD. It is foreseeable, that candidates who enter with either a five year BArch or MArch, might exit with a PhD within 3 years of fulltime study.
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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Winter School 2018 M
any young scholars are interested in pursuing a career in Architecture but do not have the knowledge as to what this field is all about. The Department of Architecture UFS has realised that the time scholars visit the University on open day is not ample time to equip these tertiary school hopefuls with required knowledge to make an informed decision about something that could affect the rest of their lives. The Department of Architecture UFS therefore decided to find a solution to this shortfall, so in 2001 the UFS decided to host its first winter school which was a huge success as many students who attended ended up becoming students of the UFS Architecture. This type of exposure is an opportunity to gain more intimate perspective on Architecture as a career option, however attendance of the winter school is not a requirement for selection into the architecture course (Architecture Department, University of the Free State, 2018). This year our winter school was presented by our very
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Katlego Nkomo
own team of lectures who are professionals in the field. After the admin of taking attendance and receiving stationary, the winter school was kicked off by a series of captivating introductory lectures by Kobus Du Preez, with his lecture titled “This is Architecture” and Martie Bitzer who presented these youths with the brief in the most seminal way I have ever experienced a brief being given, she explained the essence of architecture by saying,’ On one hand I have a rose and on the other a loaf of bread, how content I am’, she was of course eluding to the balance required to make successful architecture, the necessity of structure and aesthetic value. On the second and last day of winter school students were taken to site where a project was underway and here they met and interacted with a full-time practicing Architect from Bloemfontein based firm Roodt Architects; which they visited after visiting CBC school in Bloemfontein which recently made additions of classrooms, designed by our very own Design and Construction lecture David Van der Merwe without whom this type of experience would not have been possible. The last lecture was presented by the Architecture School Head of department Mr Henry Pretorius entitled, ‘Architect reflecting on his work’. He started his lecture by declaring that Architecting is to him the most satisfying thing one could do,” I can’t imagine transplanting a heart could be this satisfying” he said to these interested millennials. This was indeed the best way to end things off.
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
New CBC Classrooms ARCHITECT: Roodt Architects | PROJECT ARCHITECTS: Anton Roodt, Anri van der Wath, Lana Bramley, David van der Merwe
T
he principal of CBC school, Mr Wally Borchard approached Roodt architects with the intention of enlarging the capacity of the primary school and envisioned a secure, playful area to facilitate the learners. The client wanted the project to be done with sustainability in mind as the school already makes use of solar panels and water tanks for water harvesting.
Photographer: Gwen Smith van der Merwe
The client also gave permission to the students from the department of architecture to visit the site during the construction process and students even engaged with the project by doing a fun project known as the “the Goodie Corner�.
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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Information retained from Brian Wallis - SAIA Newsletter
AZA 2018, a Winner A
rchitecture ZA 2018 (AZA2018), the South African Institute of Architecture’s (SAIA), official conference was held in Pretoria at the inner city 012-venue between 3 and 5 May 2018. The highly successful event has become synonymous with leading architecture trends and bringing together internationally acclaimed industry specialists and students alike, in inspiring venues and spaces. This year was no different with key-note sessions led by international architects, parallel sessions with presentations by SAIA members, exhibitions, city tours, and official evening events. Both the Departments of Architecture of University of Pretoria (UP) and the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) co-hosted AZA2018 which drew a large audience of architects, students, sponsors and other built environment professionals. AZA2018’s theme was ‘WeThe City: Memory & Resilience’. The topics of Heritage and Memory formed the back bone of the plenary and parallel sessions, structured according to how key thinkers and practitioners engage around the often-contentious topics. The idea of resilience, much spoken about across the globe in all spheres of life at present, inspired further presentations which often overlapped with the idea of memory. AZA2018’s theme was addressed by the carefully chosen international keynote presenters. BRICS was highly represented with all but one of the speakers living and working in other BRICS countries. Carefully curated exhibitions were laid out at the entrance to the main venue space and were a key focus at this conference. The venue lent itself to the needs of the conference and themes with many spatial opportunities created for the enjoyment of the exhibitions. Exhibitions included: concrete urban furniture blocks by TUT students; Pretoria inner city: formation and transformation exhibition; PPC Imaginarium Competition and Boukunde’s 75th year exhibition.
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The National Corobrik SAIA Awards was ingegrated into the onference with a poster exhibition of entries located at the venue’s entrance and the entrants invited to speak, giving depth and enriching the AZA2018’s content and contrast to the presented topics. Added value in a Masterclass The two master classes proved to be extremely popular, with them both being over subscribed. Over 250 people applied for each masterclass which in the end could accommodate just over 70 participants. Possibly an improvement to be considered for next time – to increase the number of classes for participants! Two inner city tours were hosted. The rooftop sunrise tour, led by local architect, Adriaan Louw, was considered to be a highlight of the AZA2018, The tour explored several hidden spaces in the inner city. The second tour, led by Marianne De Klerk showcased key modernist and historic buildings, public spaces and arcades. More Highlights Karen Eicker did a superb job of handling the content build-up in terms of media. Coverage of the event led AZA2018 to being the #1 Twitter trend in South Africa on Friday 4 May, no mean feat in todays social media hysterical society. The AZA2018 conference bags where a big hit, courtesy of sponsor, Geberit. Each delegate reecived a bag, proudly displaying the AZA2018 logo. The bags were extremely popular and received much positive feedback. Overall, the response to AZA2018 was overwhelmingly positive and SAIA thanks all who contributed to its success. We look forward to the next conference.
architecture student magazine 2018 | department of architecture, university of the free state
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