GSAPP Journal/Portfolio

ASHLEIGH LOW Portfolio / Journal

Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design, Columbia University, Summer 2014 - Spring 2015

C O N T E N TS

C H A P T E R I /JUNE 2014

02

C H A P T E R V I I /DECEMBER 2014

I R O N Y A N D E M PAT H Y / S E C O N D -S I G H T

02

60

S T U D I O/ U M E M OTO

06

I N D I R E CT V O I C E S O F E X I L E A N D C U N N I N G . / YO U CA N ’ T D O I T. 60

C H A P T E R I I / J U LY 2 0 1 4

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T E M P O R A L I T Y / T E R R E M OTO.

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M E T R O P O L I S _ ST U D I O/ U M E M OTO

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C H A P T E R I I I /AUGUST 2014

14

T H E S U B L I M E / C LO U D 9.

14

S T U D I O/ U M E M OTO

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U LT R A R E A L

64

STUDIO/WILSON

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C H A P T E R V I I I /JANUARY 2015 80 V I S I B L E , I N V I S I B L E . / B L I N D.

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ST U D I O/SA M P L E

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C H A P T E R I X /FEBURARY 2015 88 C H A P T E R I V /SEPTEMBER 2014 36 M U LT I P L I C I T Y A N D S I M U LTA N E I T Y A N D R E P E T I T I O N / T H E C O M M E N TA R Y BY A F LY O N T H E WA L L I N T H E L I V I N G R O O M O F 47 C O D R I N GTO N C R E S C E N T, M I S S I O N BAY, E N D U R I N G F R E D E R I C H C H O P I N ’ S, N O CT U R N E I N E F L AT M A J O R .

36 U LT R A R E A L _ ST U D I O/ W I LS O N

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STUDIO/WILSON

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C H A P T E R V /OCTOBER 2014 G R AV I T Y A N D G R AC E / | S T U D I O/ W I L S O N

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C H A P T E R V I /NOVEMBER 2014 50 I N D I R E CT VO I C E S O F S I L E N C E / LO S T I N T R A N S L AT I O N . DA I LY S T R U G G L E S W H E N YO U T H I N K YO U ’ R E S P E A K I N G T H E S A M E L A N G UAG E B U T YO U ’ R E R E A L LY N OT. 50 U LT R A R E A L

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STUDIO/WILSON

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T H E U N N A M E A B L E / PA R A LY S I S.

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ST U D I O/SA M P L E

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C H A P T E R X /MARCH 2015 Z I M Z U M A N D R E D U CT I O N S / I C E L A N D.

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ST U D I O/SA M P L E

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U R B A N H I STO R Y I / E A R T H Q UA K E S A N D U R BA N M O R P H O LO G Y I N N A P L E S A N D L’AQ U I L A

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C H A P T E R X I /APRIL 2015

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S E N S E A N D N O N S E N S E / F R AG M E N T S.

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ST U D I O/SA M P L E

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C H A P T E R X I I / M AY 20 1 5 B R O K E N V E S S E LS / S A LU T !

S P E C I A L T H A N KS to everyone who has supported me throughout my degree and the production of this body of work. Your generosity, friendship and kindness will be forever appreciated. ~

122 122

HELLO This past year has been a big experiment for myself. I left the shores of Aotearoa knowing I wanted to challenge and question what I already “knew”. In doing so, I have taken three very different studios and a number of extremely different electives.

However one recurring thesis that I have always wanted to push throughout this degree is my love for model making. Whilst this has always been at the back of mind, the realm of model making has thus extended me into a wider realm of architectural representation; from holograms, animations and more traditional means of drawing techniques over the past year.

In parallel with the various design processes, the architectural history and theory classes has helped me to constantly question how I have approached my studio projects, to engage in writing and not be afraid of theory.

The format of the ‘portfolio’ is laid out as a Journal. It is a document that I hope will give the reader my outlook on life and approach to architecture. Each segment is divided into a month that features a poem/short story written for Yehuda Safran’s 12 Dialectical Poetical Strategies class, followed by a spread of images that I have blogged (www.ashlow-blog.tumblr.com) and then school work.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed compiling it.

Ash

~

02 03

june

chapter I

2014

Irony and Empathy empathy - feeling of oneness - knowing other minds sympathy - feeling in parallel What controls the relationship between the internal and external? why do we need exterior things? • irony - pretending not to know what you know

week 1.

Yehuda Safran, 12 Dialectical Poetical Strategies

ASH LOW

Second-sight

Exhausted.

Drained.

Shrivelled.

Swollen.

Almost sunkissed but trapped in a glass vessel.

I stumble to the end of the gantry and enter a new glass house of light.

Cleaner air circulates and I inhale, Deeply.

It is semi fresh mixed with Auntie Bettie’s pretzels.

I’m in between territories, an alien in a pretty pennied threshold.

My gaze diverts to my piece of hand held glass as it slowly comes alive.

1 missed call.

2 missed calls.

Same number.

I have a bad gut feeling.

I’m right.

The ruthless concrete jungle gives nothing back. We edge closer to the zoo of buildings and I’m slowly dwarfed.

I expect warmth as the sun stuns my eyes but I’m cheated.

Ouch. My ankles are still embossed from the elastic in my socks.

I wince as my ears pop.

The metal wall splits and retracts.

I step out, disoriented.

The large door swallows my knock.

Swollen and blurry eyed.

Don’t worry, everything will be ok.

04 05

JUNE

VIGNETTES

Packing. NZ to NY

California Academy of Sciences

I love aquariums.

J E L L Y F I S H

I’m convinced it’s a dinosaur.

Dimetrodon to be exact.

First night out in NYC. T-N-T Williamsburg. Nothing like a bit of drag.

Sylvia’s. The kid in the back is totally jealous.

GANTRY.

Orientation.

IKEA time.

Stalactites in the New York subway. Gross.

Architecture Tour for typologies class. David Adajes’ social housing.

ASH LOW

Soffit.

Top of the Mark in one of my favourite cities.

Zeitgeist with this Berkeley babe.

Made it to SFO.

But how is it attached? Nendo’s camper store.

My train station for the next year.

Hello Avery. Nice to meet you.

(What am I putting myself through again.)

French Open brunch. Go NADAL!

Yankees at Yankee stadium.

Riverside church.

Summer daze.

The Hamptons. Thanks Leetee.

06 07

JUNE

STUDIO/UMEMOTO

WEEK 1 OF SCHOOL. Model making out of plastic bottles. I have decided to use the family of bottles

by Poland Spring water. The bottles have different corrugations according to the different size of bottle you get.

C O R R U G AT I O N S. Laser cut corrugtion tests at various widths and bifurcations.

ash low

week 3 of school.

My attempt to translate the plastic bottle model into paper, complete with the corrugations.

08 09

july

c h a p t e r II

2014

Te m p o r a l i t y •

synchronic - in time diachronic - through time translation - language (standardisation) innate deep structure philosophical grammar everything is related language as a picture

week 2.

Yehuda Safran, 12 Dialectical Poetical Strategies

ASH LOW

Terremoto.

The sterile porcelain tiles glistened on the wall under the fluorescent lights. Scents of bleach and chlorine filled my nostrils.

I burst into the cubicle busting to use the loo.

Suddenly the floor shifted to the left ever so slightly.

How peculiar?

Finished, I was nearly decent when the grid of tiles moved again, this time more vigorously. It moved in the opposite direction and the frame of the cubicle arched.

I had to get out.

The door moved back to its 'vertical' position, and then bowed the other way.

Pause. Stop.

Run. I hurriedly washed my hands. Why?

10 11

J U LY

VIGNETTES

Skyping the besties. Nom Nom Nom.

Even quarter apples have girlfirends.

Prunning the Jeff Koons.

A stunner of a day at the bottom of Central Park.

Under the Bridge. The best part is at 1:10 (yeah yeah, yeaaah yeaaaah.)

Spongebob letter box.

Jackson Pollock at the MoMA

Justin. My Love.

Recyling plant with bright yellow balustrades!

I’m pretty excited about steamboat.

MoMA.

What’s all the fuss about over here?

ASH LOW

Happy Independence Day!

Mid semester crit. Probably the worst crit of my life. Thanks Jeff Kipnis.

Birthday cake. Thanks Roxy :)

Subway jazz.

Neri Oxman at the MoMA

MoMA stairs.

Sleepy soft toys in Montreal.

Seldorf architects recycling plant. But thats just the recycling.

5th Ave.

Hotel Viceroy. Rooftop.

Architecture Touring New York.

That time of the night when you know you need to go to bed.

12 13

J U LY

METROPOLIS_STUDIO/UMEMOTO

THE NEW YORK TIMES. Managed to sweet talk my way to actually see the building. Very cool.

Thanks Freddie.

The competing skyline of towers and historical buildings form a fragmented and dappled view of Renzo Piano’s New York Times building, but its distinctive facade treatment holds your gaze.

The tower’s facade is comprised of four rectangular screens, one on each elevation, that float off the building’s weather tight glass line. The screens extend past the top floors but terminate a couple of floors above the ground level. They are evenly modulated and have white horizontal bars that break up the rectangular plane. Its architectural language is consistent with the highly glazed skin and steel blue-grey structure and joinery.

The rare fantasy of intricacy and detail that we see from afar is triumphantly delivered at closer inspection. The prose of

detailing is technical, complex and clean, right up to the flush circular fixings. The light on the ground floor concourse is highly reflective but is muted by the assistance of an open courtyard filled with vegetation on the east and hints at the light qualities on the floors above but without the screens.

The facade treats the building in a number of paradoxical ways.

It is light and ephemeral yet structural and highly detailed. At night, the interior lights that punctuate through the screens from users give it a pixelated and transient state yet it is highly rational, modulated and still viewed as a homogeneous whole.

Therefore, how does the relationship between the unique facade treatment and light, affect the user interface at micro and macro scales?

ash low

3 /4 r e v i e w.

Studio has significantly moved along and I have now translated the model into the computer.

14 15

c h a p t e r III

august

2014

The Sublime •

everything has to be imagined first, everything is abstracted from the mind. the will to art - in order to appreciate you need to understand the desire we appeal to the sublime when the collective is weak. unconventional, individuality vs collectivity

week 3.

Yehuda Safran, 12 Dialectical Poetical Strategies

ASH LOW

Cloud 9.

A thick blanket of vapour covered the town in an angry grey.

In its defiance we still went up the mountain.

The drive was long. We climbed its face, turning carefully at every hairpin.

Little by little we entered the mist.

The fog became so thick we could only see just see the road in front of us.

Suddenly we were numbed by a burst of light.

Just like possoms in the headlights we were all still seeing stars.

Where were we?

We'd taken the stairway to heaven.

A sea of marshmallow delight, or a bubble bath in a valley of mountains.

16 17

AUGUST

VIGNETTES

The first homebaked thing I’ve made in New York. Blueberry Pie.

Nanako. Photo credit: Rasheed.

US Open

Djokovic.

The Cloisters.

The Cloisters continued...

SHoP.

Lincoln Centre.

My first pay cheque ever and I have to read the instructions on how to open the envelope.

The Latex Ball.

Two Mishas in a pram.

David Benjamin’s PS1.

ASH LOW

Emboss.

The Whitney.

Jeff Koons Round 1.

Don’t touch!

Model making and watching BBC Planet Earth. Bliss.

Don’t forget to wake up!

Final Review.

Terakawa Ramen. Yum but a little bit too salty.

Triceratops at the Natural History Museum.

Summer Streets with Hipster Howie.

The Greek Temple in Prospect Park.

Brighton Beach with Danny.

18 19

AUGUST

C O R R U G AT I O N S Fast Airports /Nanako Umemoto /Hilary Simon / Summer Semester 2014

Cheap air travel is now the future with cheaper air flights and faster paces of life more people can fly, meaning more people in the sky. The idea of a fast airport aims to cut down waiting times for passengers, and act as a small fast transit station. This airport looks at the idea of corrugations as a criss crossing bifurcated network.

The beginnings of this project started with a plastic model that was made out of one series of bottles. The range of bottles was selected for their corrugations that would vary in size (depth, width and distance apart) depending on the volume of water they were required to hold. From here the idea was translated into a paper model that tried to preserve as much of the existing language seen in the plastic model. Following this the geometry from the paper model then transitioned into digital space. With the workflow a dialogue between computer modelling and paper model making.

STUDIO/UMEMOTO

ash low

sectional model.

1:200 Made from museum board and some TLC.

20 21

AUGUST

STUDIO/UMEMOTO

UPCLOSE. Photograph showing the corrugations and bifurcating pattern.

PERSPECTIVE.

FROM THE SIDE.

Here you can see more of the internal spaces and the corrugation that extends onto the roof.

The same thing but from the side.

ash low

M a ss i n g m o d e l .

1:100. Note to self. Spackle does not stick to chipboard. Not quite how I wanted this model to turn out, but hey mistakes happen.

M a ss i n g m o d e l .

1:100. Note to self. Spackle does not stick to chipboard. Not quite how I wanted this model to turn out, but hey mistakes happen.

22 23

AUGUST

STUDIO/UMEMOTO

B' - B"

North

S2

30

00

J

I

K

H G

L

F E S1

M

D N

S3 O

DOMESTIC ARRIVALS

C

P Q

INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS

R

3000

B

DUTY FREE RETAIL

A

FOODCOURT AND LIGHT RETAIL

IMMIGRATION West

STAFF

BAGGAGE CLAIM INQUIRIES

S4

S5

ARRIVALS HALL

BAGGAGE CLAIM BAGGAGE CLAIM ARRIVALS PICK UP POINT

S6

S9

S T

S7

S8

S9

BUS DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL AREA

ARRIVALS LEVEL 1 FLOOR PLAN. NTS. Drawn at 1:200.

TAXI AREA

ash low

B' - B"

North

S2

30

Gangway

00

J

I

K

H G

L

F E S1

M

D N

S3 O

GATE A

C

P Q R

3000

B

GATE B

A

VOID IMMIGRATION

ramp

A’ - A”

DOMESTIC

GATE B

West

INTERNATIONAL S4

LIFT TO OBSERVATION DECK

SECURITY

DEAPRTURE LOUNGE AND WAITING AREA

S5

CHECK IN

VOID

S6

BAG DROP

S9 S T

S7

S8

S9

d e pa rt u r e s ground floor plan.

Not to scale here, but was drawn at 1:200. Notice how small my building is in comparison to that Boeing 747.

Prototype airport!

24 25

AUGUST

STUDIO/UMEMOTO

A' - A"

W E S T E L E VAT I O N .

NTS. Drawn at 1:200.

A' - A"

ASH LOW

26 27

AUGUST

STUDIO/UMEMOTO

SECTION. NTS. Drawn at 1:200.

OB

Gangway

GATE A

3062

FOODCOURT

T

ash low

B’ - B”

CONTROL TOWER

CONTROL TOWER

OBSERVATION DECK

DEPARTURE DROP OFF

CHECK IN

6308

ARRIVALS PICK UP

3000

8000

8000

TAXI AND BUS SHELTER

34 35

AUGUST

STUDIO/UMEMOTO

PRIMARY STRUCTURE C O LU M N D E TA I L .

Perspective, Front, Side, Plan.

104 172

4800

394

995

96

var ies *

267

104

309

394

60

0

544

75

488

ASH LOW

SECONDARY STRUCTURE COLUMN D E TA I L .

Perspective, Front, Side, Plan.

This part is repeated upwards.

Corrugations

This part is repeated upwards.

Corrugations 130.00

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

130.00

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

INTERIOR

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR The thickness of the concrete wall varies throughout the building.

2200

Steel

Steel

Concrete wall

Concrete wall

200.00

15.00

EXTERIOR

The thickness of the concrete wall varies throughout the building.

2200

200.00 10.00

15.00

10.00

W I N D O W D E TA I L .

Wall surface continues Corrugation continues with windows inserted where necessary

Window opening Window Joinery

Concrete wall

Concrete Sill Chamfered

Wall surface continues

Perspective.

36 37

CHAPTER IV

SEPTEMBER

2014

Multiplicity and simultaneity and repetition •

difference in repetition of a pattern. what we say is repetition - everything has already been said before. when there is enough repetition we have progression? nothing is original - if everything is repeated

WEEK 4.

Yehuda Safran, 12 Dialectical Poetical Strategies

ASH LOW

The commentary by a fly on the wall in the living room of 47 Codrington Crescent, Mission Bay, enduring Frederich Chopin’s, Nocturne in E flat major.

Day 1 Take 1 - Separate hands. Right hand plays first, followed by the left hand. Take 2 - repeat take 1. Take 3 - repeat take 2. Take 4 - repeat take 3. Take 5 - repeat take 4. Take 6 - repeat bars 5-7 in the right hand ten times. Repeat bars 32-33 in the right hand ten times.

Day 2 Take 1 - separate hands. Right hand plays first, followed by the left hand. Take 2 - repeat take 1 but slightly faster. Take 3 - repeat take 2. Take 4 - repeat take 3. Take 5 - repeat bars 32-33 in the right hand 5 times.

Day 3 Repeat day 2, but play more smoothly connected and slightly faster.

3 - Repeat take 2 but at full speed. (Keeps hiccupping at bars 26-28 and bars32-33.)

Day 12 Take 1 - full speed both hands (still keeps stopping at the same bars as yesterday.) Take 2 - Repeat bars 32-33 at 132 quavers per minute ten times . Take 3 - Repeat take 2 at proper speed ten times. Take 4 - Repeat take 2 but starting at the end of the previous phrase five times. (The first two were not quite right, 4 and 5, perfect.) Take 5 -Repeat take 4 two times. Take 6 - Play entire song at full tempo.

(Messes up at the same place, bars 26-28 gives up with disgust.)

Day 13 Take 1 - Entire song, full tempo. (Unintentionally repeats take 6 from yesterday. Heavy sigh.) Take 2 - Entire song, full tempo.

Day 4 (Finished!) Take 3 - Repeat take 2. (Makes a mistake at a different Take 1 - Very slowly start playing with two hands. (Gives up phrase of bars.) Take 4 - Repeats phrase three times. Take 5 - Entire halfway.) Take 2 - repeat take 1. (Gives up halfway again.) Take song, full tempo, start adding dynamics and more articulation.

3 - Start with hands together from halfway. (Deep breath.) Take 4 (Concentrate.) repeat Take 3. Take 5 - (Frustrated and starting to think (Mistake part way through.) Take 6 - Entire song, but slightly slowly, with dynamics and articulation. (Still sounds clunky. That’s twice about this piece.) repeat take 1 of day 1. enough for the day.)

Day 5 Day 14 (Forget about yesterday.) Take 1 - Very slowly start playing with two Take 1 - Repeat Take 6 from yesterday. (Better.) Take 2 - Repeat hands. (Gives up halfway, essentially repeating Day 4, take 1 but with take 1. (Visibly frustrated, making a mistake at the same set of bars minor improvements.) Take 2 - (Do it again. Unintentionally repeats take 1.) Take 3 - (Do it again. Thinks they’re repeating take 1 but they from two days previous.) Take 3 - Repeats take 3 from day 12, then actually get to the end of the piece.) Take 4 - repeat of take 3. (Looking take 4 from day 12. Take 4 - Repeats take 1 from today. (Good.

But some of the phrasing, articulation and musicality is still not right. mentally exhausted but is satisfied for the day.)

A decision is made, today is done.)

Day 6 Repeats day 5 with not much improvement. Leaves dissatisfied after ten Day 15 Take 1 - The full piece with full articulation, phrasing, dynamics minutes. and tempo. (Average.) Take 2 - Repeats the phrases of bars 26-28 and 32-33 . Take 2 - Entire piece. (Much better). Take 3 - Repeats Day 7 take 2. (Better again but slight pausing in those same phrases.) Take No attendance.

4 - Repeats the same phrases. Take 5 - Repeats take 2. (Almost there but still not entirely comfortable with some slight hesistations.)

Day 8 Absentia.

Day 16 (Sits down with a new concentration. Today is the day.) Take 1 Day 9 - entire piece. (Slightly more comfortable than the last take from Take 1 - (Just as good/bad as take 2 of day 5.) Take 2 - Repeat take yesterday with portions of the piece memorised.) Take 2 - repeat take 1. (Better.) Take 3 - Repeat take 2. (Better.) Take 4 - Repeat take 3.

1. (Great). Take 3 - (Pretending it is the performance. Eyes closed, (Better.) or taking a long blink. Breathes deeply and lifts hands to the Ivory keys.) Entire piece. (A mistake at the problem phrase. There’s still Day 10 tomorrow.)

Take 1 - Increase the tempo slightly up to 80 quavers per minute.

(Takes less time.) Take 2 - repeat take 1. Take 3 - repeat take 2 but increase the tempo. (Stops at bar 15, too fast.) Take 4 - Repeat take 3 Day 17 Take 1 - Resumes from bar 1. (Perfect, whatever that means. at 85 quavers per minute. (Finished!)

However they’re still not happy.) Take 2 - Repeat take 1. (Mistake at Day 11 bar 5.) Take 3 - (Try again.) Entire piece. (Done.)

Take 1 - Repeat take 4 from yesterday. Take 2 - Repeat take 1. Take

38 39

SEPTEMBER

VIGNETTES

Boardwalks and ocean. Just like home.

San Francisco!

See above.

Asian art exhibtion SFO city hall.

Storm King. Perfect.

Noguchi Museum.

So awesome that it gets two photos.

Jeff Koons Round 2.

Lost in the Butler Stacks.

Filming Law & Order.

Modelling for Ultrareal.

Jamaican food brunch.

ASH LOW

Bootie Club. San Francisco.

Empire State of Mind.

Chicago.

How?

Clean Bandit at Bowery Ballroom.

The Standard Hotel on the Highline.

Thought they were lollies?

WRONG. They’re magnets.

I-house deliciousness...

So can you buy real flour or is there only packet mix?

Williamsburg bridge.

My lips are sealed.

Romina hotdog.

40 41

U LT R A R E A L W E E K 1 .

Trying out the basic v-ray white model settings. And partially designing this house which is inspired by the Havens house in Berkeley, CA.

SEPTEMBER

U LT R A R E A L _ S T U D I O / W I L S O N

URBAN

PERSONAL TECHNIQUE: SPATIAL

SEGREGATION COMMUNITY ISOLATION PHYSICAL BARRIERS ESOTERIC BARRIERS

TECHNIQUE: BARRIER

Our analysis of apartheid using Global to Local scales mapped across time.

STUDIO WEEK 1.

1985 UNIVERSITIES PERMIT TO ADMIT STUDENT REGARDLESS OF RACE

1975 “INTERNATIONAL HOTEL” NON-WHITE LUXURY HOTEL

EXTENSION OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATION ACT SEGREGATED CEMETARIES IMMORALLITY ACT

1960 SEPARATE AMENITIES ACT

NATIVES RESETTLEMENT ACT

1954

BLACK COMMUNITIES ACT

1988 FREE SETTLEMENT ACT

1984

WHITES, COLOREDS, AND ASIANS

1955 NATIVES AMENDMENT ACT 1957 FREE TRADE AREA BETWEEN

ABOLITION OF PASSES ACT

1951

1950 POPULATION AREAS ACT

APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF NATIVE AFFAIRS

1950 GROUP AREAS ACT, VERWOERD

SELF GOVERNMENT ACT

1960-1970 POPULATION RESETTLEMENT 1961 FIRST LAND PROCLAMATION 1959 PROMOTION OF BANTU

TECHNIQUE: POLICY

1953 SEPARATE AMENITIES ACT

1949 PROHIBITION OF MIXED MARRAIGES ACT

RESETTLEMENT ACT MODEL APARTHEID CITY TRANSPORTATION SUBURBS / DISTRICTS DENSITY 1936 NATIVE TRUST LAND ACT

STATE 1923 NATIVES URBAN LAND ACTS

LAND ACTS LAND OWNERSHIP PASSBOOKS TRADE LAWS LEGISLATION INSURGENCY FARMING

1913 NATIVES LAND ACT

1973 SURPLUS PEOPLE PROJECT

1973 RADIACAL REDDRAW OF MAP OF BLACK AREAS IN SOUTH AFRICA

DEVELOPMENT OF THE HOMELANDS ACT

1966 WEST AFRICAN INSURGENCY 1969 PROMOTION OF ECONOMIC

1948 PHILOSOPHY OF APARTHEID INTRODUCED AS GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF NATIONAL PARTY

ABANDONS THE GOLD STANDARD

1939 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA

GLOBAL

FIRST LARGE MINING COMPANY DEVLOPED

1886

COMMERCE ECONOMICS GEOGRAPHY POLITICS MINING TRADE RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1994

ABOLITION OF APARTHEID

1986 INDIAN TRADING RESTRICTIONS RELAXED

UN CALLS FOR AIRWAY SANCTION WITH SOUTH AFRICA

1962

1948 ANTI-INDIAN TRADING MEASURES 1949 GOLD PRICES RISE BY 44%

1931 BRITAIN ABANDONS THE GOLD STANDARD LEADING TO RISE IN GOLD PRICES

IN APPROXIMATE VINCITY OF WITWATERSRAND

1806 GOLD DISCOVERED

ASH LOW

TECHNIQUE: NETWORK

42 43

PATH OF PERSON

STREET GRID

RANDOM CAMERA IN OPERATION

SECURITY CAMERA CLOSEST TO PERSON’S TRAJECTORY RADIUS OF SECURITY CAMERA

RADIUS OF CAMERA

RANDOM PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC STREET PATHS

DATA V I S UA L I S AT I O N .

We devised a hypothetical situation in grasshopper that looks at surveillance in Johannesburg.

SEPTEMBER

STUDIO/WILSON

ASH LOW

RANDOMLY SELECTED CAMERAS

GRIDDED STREETS

PERSON’S TRAJECTORY

STREET PATROL THAT IS CLOSEST TO THE PERSON’S CURRENT POSITION SECURITY CAMERA THAT IS CLOSEST TO THE PERSON’S TRAJECTORY. RADIUS OF THE SECURITY CAMERA.

HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO IN THE CBD AREA

PERSON’S TRAJECTORY

STREET PATROL CLOSEST TO THE PERSON’S POSITION

STREET PATROL

A RANDOM NUMBER OF HYPOTHETICAL CAMERAS THAT COULD BE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE BLOCK

RANDOMLY LOCATED CAMERA CLOSEST TO PERSON’S POSITION

HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO IN THE SANDHURST AREA

PERSON’S TRAJECTORY

A RANDOM NUMBER OF HYPOTHETICAL CAMERAS THAT COULD BE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE BLOCK RANDOMISED FOOT PATROL ALONG VARIOUS STREETS

STREET PATROL CLOSEST TO A PERSON’S LOCATION

RANDOMLY LOCATED CAMERA CLOSEST TO PERSON’S POSITION

HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO IN THE SOWETO AREA

DATA V I S UA L I S AT I O N .

The strategy that is on the previous page was applied to various suburbs in Johannesburg. The CBD, Sandton and the Soweto.

44 45

CHAPTER V

OCTOBER

2014

Gravity and Grace •

the way you do something in life is from what y o u k n o w. how to design the procedure. we may have a technically correct building - but still bad things happen within the building.

WEEK 5.

Yehuda Safran, 12 Dialectical Poetical Strategies

ASH LOW

It was: Cold but warm.

Empty but full.

Heavy but light.

Quiet but loud.

Muted but sharp.

Curved but lineal.

Smooth but rough.

Solid but void.

A mammoth and a dwarf.

Dead and alive.

46 47

OCTOBER

VIGNETTES

Skype date.

Even Mies took selfies.

Homemade Lemon curd.

Manhattan School of Music.

Construction worker creepily outside my room.

Jeff Koons. Round 3

The night before leaving for South Africa.

Jetplane sunset.

Travelling mares.

Studio X.

Reunited after 3 years :) Bokki.

Studio in Maboneng.

ASH LOW

Pugs no thugs (or drugs).

L O V E G U N.

Dumplings.

Gardens and Villas.

Caro and Rash chatting to the locals

Apartheid museum.

Delicious Ethiopian food.

Architecture office in Sandton.

Uncle Mervs in Maboneng.

Soweto.

Soweto.

Prison grate.

48 49

OCTOBER

•GROUP AREAS ACT •DEVELOPMENT OF SUBURBS SOWETO •MINING •POLITICS - ANC

STUDIO/WILSON

•JOHANNESBURG “WORLD CLASS AFRICAN CITY” •FREEDOM SQUARE RENAMED AS “WALTER SISULU SQUARE OF DEDICATION” •UNESCO PROTECTED SITE

•REIMAGING OF SOWETO AND WALTER SISULU SQUARE UPON COMPLETION

•EXPLOSION ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE •MONUMENT AND MEMORIAL •TOURIST ATTRACTION

•WRITING AND SIGNING OF THE FREEDOM CHARTER

•REDEVELOPMENT OF SOWETO •REDEVELOPMENT OF KLIPTOWN

•CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING, TAXI RANK, GAUTRAIN, SQUARE

•CONTINUED REDEVELOPMENT OF KLIPTOWN

•MEAT MARKET

•STREET TRADERS IN THE SQUARE

•TRANSPORT- TAXI RANK, GAUTRAIN •INFRASTRUCTURE •SOWETO COUNTRY CLUB •MONUMENTAL ARCHITECTURE AND HARDSCAPE

•TRADERS •INFORMAL SETTLEMENT •RESIDENTS

•TRADING AND FULL SITE ACCESS TO ALL

•SITE IS CLOSED OFF DURING CONSTRUCTION

SCALE: GLOBAL

SCALE: STATE •REDEVELOPMENT OF KLIPTOWN •SOME TRADING OCCURRING

SCALE: URBAN •IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS ON TRADERS BY LAW

SCALE: PERSONAL

1955

2002

2003

2014

signing of the Freedom Charter, known as Freedom Square

declared as Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication

Walter Sisulu Square during construction

present day Walter Sisulu Square

Site with full permeability and few architectural interventions that restrict movement paths

Developement of roads and infrastructure, hardscapes that start redefining walking paths

During construction no thoroughfare through the site affecting street trading and no public site access

Completed construction allows public access to the site however the architecture imposes new restrictions on movement paths and the ability to trade

M I D T E R M . W A LT E R S I S U L U SQUARE. Before going to Johannesburg we had finally received our sites. We received Walter Sisulu Square in Soweto. The diagram above shows the change in program over time on the site and how it sits amongst global to local scales.

2014

PRESENT DAY WALTER SISULU SQUARE

2009

AFTER COMPLETION

2003

BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTION, RENAMED WALTER SISULU SQUARE OF DEDICATION

2014

PRESENT DAY WALTER SISULU SQUARE

2009

AFTER COMPLETION

2003

BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTION, RENAMED WALTER SISULU SQUARE OF DEDICATION

M I D T EAFTER R M .THE DA TA DISSOLUTION OF APARTHEID 2002 V I S UA L I S AT I O N .

CHRONOSCAPE YEARS Using a similar analysis earlier in the semesterAFTER we then applied it toOF our site THE DISSOLUTION APARTHEID 2002 and mapped it across time.

CHRONOSCAPE YEARS

1955

ASSEMBLY OF INDIVIDUALS WHO PRODUCED

1950

AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF APARTHEID

1950

AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF APARTHEID

THE FREEDOM CHARTER

1955

ASSEMBLY OF INDIVIDUALS WHO PRODUCED THE FREEDOM CHARTER

ASH LOW

MIDTERM. CONCEPTUAL MODEL. Our conceptual model which was a time based formation that was to show the layering that had occurred on Walter Sisulu Square over time. The model was constructed from blue foam and we used different concentrations of acetone to melts and corrode the foam.

The whole process was filmed.

50 51

CHAPTER VI

NOVEMBER

2014

I n d i re ct Vo i c e s of Silence •

s i l e n c e + v o i c e o f t h e c i t y. language allows you to construct a “game” an understanding or “world” that you share with someone.

WEEK 6.

Yehuda Safran, 12 Dialectical Poetical Strategies

ASH LOW

Lost in translation.

Daily struggles when you think you’re speaking the same language but you’re really not.

Could you pop that in the rubbish bin please?

Excuse me where’s the bathroom?

I’ll have a kale salad with avocado thank you.

Two minutes later...

Sorry what kind of salad have you given me?

Ash There’s lots of room, it should fit in the boot.

New Zealand.

You mean trash can?

The restroom’s over there.

Caesar. You said wanted Caesar.

So that’s a short americano, and your name? writes down Esh Fit where?

Where abouts are you from?

Oh New Zealand! Yes why would you leave there? It’s amazing. We were in Milan recently, so really close!

Mental face palm.

Hi do you have any bog?

Bog .

Hmmm, that stuff that you use to patch a wall.

Yes. Time to take advantage of the situation.

Yes. It’s pretty great. There’s this bridge called the Sydney harbour bridge that connects us with Australia.

Still waiting in line.

But that makes no sense.

Sorry what?

What’s that?

OH!! SPACKLE!!

So New Zealand’s really close to Australia right?

It’s kind of like San Francisco/Alcatraz no?

Step down.

I said, STEP DOWN. It’s pretty cold out. Like twenty eight.

Gah I wish I was better at maths. 28 minus 32 divided by 2.

Huff it doesn’t work for negatives.

I guess I’ll wear my big jacket.

So if I draw this elevation at 1:200 it should be big enough right?

I have no idea what that means.

I have no idea what you’re talking about. I would do it at 1/16” Haha I think we have a problem.

52 53

NOVEMBER

VIGNETTES

Hanging with Rebecca at the MoMA.

MoMA

Hearst Tower.

HIGHS at Arlene’s Grocery.

Lady Gaga face paint.

Goldfish with the I-housers.

SHAKESHACK. HAMANA HAMANA HAMANA

This amazing bear coat at Urban Outfitters.

*Sigh*

Toby, Patrick and Emma.

Shennanigans.

It’s finals time! Feat. the laser cutting queue.

Best shift ever!

ASH LOW

mmmm Ramen Ya.

Room tetris.

Look at the sky!

Pomme frites, East Village.

Attempting to fit in Howie and the Flatiron building.

A beautiful crisp day.

Trees.

Are you hungry Rusty?

Making a Croquembouche for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving.

Attempting to make the bed in the dark didn’t really work out so well.

Putting up the christmas lights...

54 55

U LT R A R E A L . M I D T E R M .

A little late on the due date as we were away in South Africa. But The model is now far more detailed.

NOVEMBER

U LT R A R E A L

ASH LOW

U LT R A R E A L . M I D T E R M .

Slowly adding and experimenting with materials and choosing the final render scenes. Looks like I’m going to have to model a lot of the environment...!

FREEDOM SQUARE DEDICATION DEDICATION // FREEDOM SQUARE SQUARE FREEDOM TIMELINE 56 57 TIMELINE TIMELINE

SOWETO SOWETO EST. 1963 EST. 1963

NOVEMBER

STUDIO/WILSON

Thefollowing followingtimeline timelineanalyses analysesthe thestate stateofofFreedom Freedom The Square/WalterSisulu SisuluSquare Squarefrom from1806 1806--2115.

2115.ItItbegins begins Square/Walter withthe thewith withthe thediscovery discoveryofofgold goldininJohannesburg Johannesburgto toits its with presentpost-apartheid post-apartheidstate stateinin2014.

2014.From Fromhere here(2014 (2014 present onwardsto to2115) 2115)the thetimeline timelineassumes assumesaacourse courseofoffiction fiction onwards following timeline analyses of Freedom TheThe following timeline analyses the the statestate of Freedom thathas hasbeen beenbased basedon onaanumber numberofofcatalytic catalyticevents eventsthat thatare are that Square/Walter Sisulu Square 1806 - 2115.

It begins Square/Walter Sisulu Square fromfrom 1806 - 2115.

It begins basedon onthe thecurrent currentcontextual contextualstatus statusquo quoofofthe thesite siteand and based discovery of gold in Johannesburg to macro its withwith the the withwith the the discovery of gold in Johannesburg tothe its the macroto tomicro microforces forcesatatwork. work. present post-apartheid in 2014.

From (2014 present post-apartheid statestate in 2014.

From herehere (2014 onwards to 2115) timeline assumes a course of fiction onwards to 2115) the the timeline assumes a course of fiction based a number of catalytic events thatthat has has beenbeen based on aon number of catalytic events thatthat are are based on the current contextual status of the based on the current contextual status quoquo of the site site andand macro to micro forces at work. the the macro to micro forces at work.

GLOBAL GLOBAL

GLOBAL GLOBAL

STATE STATE

STATE STATE

The following timeline analyses the state of Freedom Square/Walter Sisulu Square from 1806 URBAN URBAN 2115. It begins with the with the discovery of gold in Johannesburg to its present post-apartheid state in 2014. From here (2014 onwards to 2115) the timeline assumes a course of fiction that has been based on a number of catalytic events that are based on the current contextual status quo of the site and the macro to micro forces at work.

PERSONAL PERSONAL

TECHNIQUE: TECHNIQUE: BARRIER BARRIER

EST. EST. 20022002 PREVIOUSLY FREEDOM PREVIOUSLY FREEDOM SQUARE SQUARE EST. EST. 19551955

TECHNIQUE: TECHNIQUE: NETWORK NETWORK

TECHNIQUE: TECHNIQUE: POLICY POLICY

1806 1806 URBAN URBAN

1913 1913

1886 1886

1923 1923

TECHNIQUE: TECHNIQUE: SPACIAL SPACIAL RESETTLEMENTACT ACT RESETTLEMENT MODELAPARTHEID APARTHEIDCITY CITY MODEL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION SUBURBS/ /DISTRICTS DISTRICTS SUBURBS DENSITY DENSITY

TECHNIQUE: TECHNIQUE: SPACIAL SPACIAL RESETTLEMENT RESETTLEMENT ACT ACT MODEL APARTHEID MODEL APARTHEID CITYCITY TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION SUBURBS / DISTRICTS SUBURBS / DISTRICTS DENSITY DENSITY

WALTER SISULU WALTER SISULU SQUARE SQUARE OF OF DEDICATION DEDICATION

LANDACTS ACTS LAND LANDOWNERSHIP OWNERSHIP LAND PASSBOOKS PASSBOOKS TRADELAWS LAWS TRADE LEGISLATION LEGISLATION INSURGENCY INSURGENCY FARMING FARMING

TECHNIQUE: TECHNIQUE: POLICY POLICY LAND LAND ACTSACTS LAND OWNERSHIP LAND OWNERSHIP PASSBOOKS PASSBOOKS TRADE TRADE LAWSLAWS LEGISLATION LEGISLATION INSURGENCY INSURGENCY FARMING FARMING

OLDEST RESIDENTIAL OLDEST RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT OF SOWETO DISTRICT OF SOWETO OF KLIPSPRUIT PARTPART OF KLIPSPRUIT FARM IN 1891 FARM IN 1891

COMMERCE COMMERCE ECONOMICS ECONOMICS GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY POLITICS POLITICS MINING MINING TRADE TRADE RESOURCES RESOURCES INTERNATIONALRELATIONS RELATIONS INTERNATIONAL

TECHNIQUE: TECHNIQUE: NETWORK NETWORK COMMERCE COMMERCE ECONOMICS ECONOMICS GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY POLITICS POLITICS MINING MINING TRADE TRADE RESOURCES RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

KLIPTOWN KLIPTOWN

18061806

19131913

18861886

Gold Golddiscovered discoveredinin approximate approximatevincity vincity ofofWitwatersrand Witwatersrand

CityofofJohannesburg Johannesburg City formallyestablished. established. formally

19231923

19311931

19361936 19391939

First Firstlarge largemining mining company companydeveloped developed abandons BritainBritain abandons the the gold standard leading gold standard leading toinrise inprices. gold prices. toNatives rise gold Land Natives Land Act Act

discovered Gold Gold discovered in in City of City of Johannesburg Johannesburg approximate approximate vincityvincity formally formally established. established. of Witwatersrand of Witwatersrand

PERSONAL PERSONAL

TECHNIQUE: TECHNIQUE: BARRIER BARRIER

NativesUrb Ur Natives LandActs Acts Land

of Sout UnionUnion of South abandon AfricaAfrica abandons thestandard. gold stand the gold

First mining large mining First large company developed company developed

SEGREGATION SEGREGATION COMMUNITYISOLATION ISOLATION COMMUNITY PHYSICALBARRIERS BARRIERS PHYSICAL ESOTERICBARRIERS BARRIERS ESOTERIC

Natives Natives Land Land Act Act

Natives Natives UrbanUrban Land Land Acts Acts

NativeNative Trust Trust Land Land Act Act

SEGREGATION SEGREGATION COMMUNITY ISOLATION COMMUNITY ISOLATION PHYSICAL BARRIERS PHYSICAL BARRIERS ESOTERIC BARRIERS ESOTERIC BARRIERS

2014 2014 2014 2014

20192019

Ebolaininthe theWest WestofofAfrica.

Africa.

Ebola

2019 2019

20242024

warming or climate change?

GlobalGlobal warming or climate change?

GLOBAL

10 2014.

May 2014.

African General 10 May SouthSouth African General Elections.

Elections. securing 62.15% of votes total votes ANC ANC securing 62.15% of total (18,402,497).

And winning 249 seats.

(18,402,497).

And winning 249 seats.

Corruption still and aliveprevalent and prevalent Corruption still alive twentytwenty years the afterapartheid the apartheid regime. years after regime.

STATE

President rand of President Jacob Jacob ZumaZuma spendsspends 246m246m rand of taxpayers’ his private taxpayers’ moneymoney on hison private home.home.

Lack of education and healthcare areoftwo of Lack of education and healthcare are two the biggest the people. the biggest issues issues for theforpeople.

URBAN

PERSONAL

5 March 2014.2014.

HeavyHeavy rain strikes 5 March rain strikes the Kliptown area flooding 401 401 the Kliptown area flooding households on itson 5thitsconsecutive households 5th consecutive year. Since 17 March Emergency year. Since 17 March Emergency Housing Programme (EHP)(EHP) Housing Programme relocated around 30 households to a to a relocated around 30 households new area. new area.

10May May2014.

2014.South SouthAfrican AfricanGeneral General 10 Elections.

Elections.

SouthSouth African African ANCsecuring securing62.15% 62.15% oftotal total votes ANC of votes Elections.

ANC Elections.

ANC (18,402,497).And And winning 249 seats.

(18,402,497). winning 249 seats. retainretain powerpower and and promise more more of of promise the budget to be the budget be Corruptionstill stillalive aliveand andprevalent prevalentto twenty Corruption twenty dedicated towards dedicated towards yearsafter afterthe theapartheid apartheidregime. regime. years healthcare and and healthcare education. education.

PresidentJacob JacobZuma Zumaspends spends246m 246mrand randofof President taxpayers’money moneyon onhis hisprivate privatehome. home. taxpayers’

Lackofofeducation educationand andhealthcare healthcareare aretwo twoofof Lack thebiggest biggestissues issuesfor forthe thepeople. people. the

March2014.

2014.Heavy Heavyrain rainstrikes strikes 55March theKliptown Kliptownarea areaflooding flooding401 401 the householdson onitsits5th 5thconsecutive consecutive households year.Since Since17 17March MarchEmergency Emergency year.

HousingProgramme Programme(EHP) (EHP) Housing relocatedaround around30 30households householdstotoa a relocated newarea. area. new The effects of climate The effects of climate change have significantly change have significantly impacted theofarea of impacted the area Kliptown with more Kliptown with more torrential downpours torrential downpours and and becoming a yearly floodsfloods becoming a yearly Even more event.event.

Even more flooding seen around flooding is seenisaround the greater Soweto the greater Soweto area. area.

2028 2028

2035 2035

SouthSouth African Elections.

African Elections.

The nation is divided The nation is divided between the ANC and and between the ANC its newest challenger its newest challenger Cope.Cope.

A recount is A recount is carriedcarried out and are are outANC and ANC just in.

Zuma remains just in. Zuma remains president. president.

Wealthy SouthSouth African Wealthy African expatsexpats start investing start investing moneymoney into the into the Johannesburg CBD CBD in in Johannesburg an attempt to continue an attempt to continue the revival of theofcity. the revival the city.

More More ‘safe’ pockets such such ‘safe’ pockets as Maboneng and and as Maboneng Braamfontein start to Braamfontein start to open up as up realasestate is open real estate is still cheap. still cheap.

2029 2029

2035 2035

2037 2037

Ebolagradually gradually makes makes itsits 2044 20372037 20402040 20412041Ebola 2044 TheANC ANCretain retain The wayfurther furthersouth southbut butnot not way

2040 20 2 2040

20472047

202

Worldreaches reachespeak peak T World Th oiland andthe theprice priceper per oil a as leadershipfor forthe the leadership yetininSouth SouthAfrica.

Africa. yet barrelstarts startstoto barrel anan 5thterm. term.With With 5th dramaticallyrise. rise. p dramatically pu The economy is on a slow The economy is on a slow thevoting votingcount count the aw aw declineasasoverseas overseasinvestors investors decline undersuspicion. suspicion. under anan startmoving movingtheir theirfunds funds start Thelowest lowestturn turn The ovo elsewhere concerned about elsewhere concerned about outininyears. years. out gradually EbolaEbola gradually makesmakes its itsWorldWorld new of wave foot and A newAwave footofand reaches The artthe protests have reaches peak peak The art protests have the volatile political volatile political Nothinghas haschanged changed Nothing The ANC The ANC retainretainSouth SouthAfrican AfricanElections.

Elections. way further but notoil and way further south south but not catches mouthmouth diseasedisease catches oilthe andprice the per price per a significant impact a significant impact situation. situation. duringthe thefourth fourthyear year during leadership leadership for thefor the Thenation nationisisdivided divided The in South yet inyet South Africa.Africa. farmers by surprise. farmers by surprise. and create barrelbarrel starts starts to to and create muchmuch theANC ANCfourth fourth ofofthe 5th term.

5th term.

With With between betweenthe theANC ANCand and Food Food pricesprices rocket,rocket, dramatically publicity dramatically rise. rise. publicity and and The economy on a slow The economy is on aisslow consecutive term. consecutive term. the voting the voting countcountitsitsnewest newestchallenger challenger making it unaffordable making it unaffordable awareness awareness locallylocally decline as overseas investors decline as overseas investors suspicion.Cope. underunder suspicion.

Cope.AArecount recountisis for many. for many. and attracts and attracts some some Before thenew new2029 2029 the start moving their funds start moving theirBefore funds The lowest The lowest turn turncarried carriedout outand andANC ANCare are overseas attention. overseas attention. elections anonymous elections anananonymous elsewhere concerned elsewhere concerned aboutabout Economy plummets.

Economy plummets. in years. just out inout years. justin. in.Zuma Zumaremains remains groupreleases releasesananaudit audit group the volatile political the volatile political Nothing has changed Nothing has changed president. president. thatexposes exposesthe the that years of dormancy After After severalseveral years of dormancy the the situation. situation. the fourth duringduring the fourth year year Government Government responsible groupgroup responsible SAPMSAPM (South(South the ANC of theofANC fourthfourth corruption. corruption.

African People’s Movement) African People’s Movement) for theforartthe art consecutive consecutive term. term. protests forward and begin protests come come forward and begin to to WealthySouth SouthAfrican African Wealthy Dec 2047 The rebels 1 Dec 2047 The rebels peacefully by occupying peacefully protestprotest by occupying the2029 new 2029 BeforeBefore the new expatsstart startinvesting investing expats attempt to Aassasinate to assasinate Anew newwave waveA Peoplestart starttoto People Hightax taxpaying paying High significant sites around the country. attempt significant sites around the country. elections an anonymous elections an anonymous moneyinto intothe the money the Prime Minister.

Minister. movementbebm movement boycottthe the boycott SouthAfricans Africans South The group lead by aofmix of races the Prime The group is leadisby a mix races releases an audit groupgroup releases an audit JohannesburgCBD CBDinin Johannesburg Paranoia and Paranoia and complete peaceful st ofofcomplete peaceful electionsand and elections startvoicing voicingtheir their start from various demographics. from various demographics. that exposes that exposes the the attempttotocontinue continue ananattempt anarchy all ensuesensues and alland in c protests invar va protests smallepisodes episodes small frustrationswith with frustrations Participants are alerted via special anarchy Participants are alerted via special Government Government therevival revivalofofthe thecity. city. the movement throughout movement throughout p artforms formsarou aro art violenceare are ofofviolence thecorrupt corrupt the cellular technology. cellular technology. corruption. corruption.

More‘safe’ ‘safe’pockets pocketssuch such More the country is shut the country is shut the cityofof the city startednear near started Government.

Government.

Mabonengand and asasMaboneng A separate rebel activist A separate rebel activist groupgroup down.down.

Johannesbur Johannesburg variousvoting voting various Braamfonteinstart starttoto Braamfontein bringing of violence surfacesurface bringing waveswaves of violence SouthAfrica.

Africa South booths. booths. start to open new wave start to A newAwave openup upasasreal realestate estateisis High High tax paying tax paying PeoplePeople across country. across the of country.

Thearea area ofthe Kliptown Peopleare areforcefully forcefully The Kliptown People boycott movement the the movement beginsbeginsreceives stillcheap. cheap. still SouthSouth Africans Africans boycott receivesrecord recordflooding. flooding. removedfrom fromthe the removed Thevoicing effects ofclimate climate The effects oftheir elections of peaceful and and of peaceful start start voicing their elections Residentsinindesparation desparation squareand andare areplaced placedinin Residents square change have significantly change have significantly episodes protests in variousstart episodes protests in various frustrations with frustrations with small small starttotooccupy occupythe the largercommunity community larger impacted thearea areaofof of violence impacted the of violence art forms around square are are art forms around the corrupt the corrupt squarethat thathas hasbeen been centresand andtemporary temporary centres Kliptown withmore more startedstarted Kliptown with theofcity of near near the city Government.

Government. poorlymaintained. maintained.ItItisis shelterswith witha a poorly shelters torrentialdownpours downpoursand and torrential various Johannesburg various votingvoting Johannesburg and andunable unabletotosustain sustainthe the guaranteethey theywill willbebe guarantee floodsbecoming becominga ayearly yearly floods booths. booths.

SouthSouth Africa.Africa.

28,000residents residentsfleeing fleeing properhousing housingininthe the 28,000 ininproper Theofarea of Kliptown PeoplePeople are forcefully The area Kliptown are forcefully event.Even Evenmore more event. fromtheir theirflooded flooded followingyear. year. from following receives flooding. removed removed from the receives recordrecord flooding. from the floodingisisseen seenaround around flooding homes. homes.

Residents in desparation square and are placed in Residents in desparation square and are placed in thegreater greaterSoweto Sowetoarea. area. the start to occupy community start to occupy the the largerlarger community thatbeen has been and temporary squaresquare that has centrescentres and temporary maintained. shelters poorlypoorly maintained.

It is It is shelters with awith a to sustain guarantee theybewill be unableunable to sustain the the guarantee they will 28,000 residents in proper housing 28,000 residents fleeingfleeing in proper housing in thein the from flooded their flooded following from their following year. year. homes. homes.

SouthAfrican African South Elections.ANC ANC Elections. retainpower powerand and retain promisemore moreofof promise thebudget budgettotobebe the dedicatedtowards towards dedicated healthcareand and healthcare education. education.

Globalwarming warmingororclimate climatechange? change?

Global

the of West of Africa.

EbolaEbola in theinWest Africa.

20282028 20292029

2024 2024

A R h

Something Something is is brewing... brewing...

system reboot system reboot

S T U D I O 3 /4 R E V I E W. Slightly off the mark, but Jasmine and I have split to do our own projects after mid semester. The above is a timeline I thought I would try to used to ground my project. Perhaps politics and forecasting is not a great idea... Oh well I tried.

existing global and local

UN IO N AV E UN IO N AV E

TAXI RANK TAXI RANKPREVIOUSLY PREVIOUSLY FREEDOM FREEDOM JR290 JR290

SQUARE SQUARE EST. EST. 1955 1955

WALTER SISULU SQUARE WALTER SISULU SQUARE OFOF DEDICATION DEDICATION EST. 2002 EST. 2002 PREVIOUSLY FREEDOM PREVIOUSLY FREEDOM SQUARE EST. 1955 SQUARE EST. 1955

O 3

UN UNIO IONN ST ST

KLIPTOWN KLIPTOWN

EST. EST.2002 2002 PREVIOUSLY PREVIOUSLYFREEDOM FREEDOM SQUARE SQUAREEST. EST.1955 1955

1949 1949 1951 1951 1936 1936

1939 1939

1948 1948 1950 1950

1949 19491951 1951 1954 1954 Britain Britainabandons abandonsthe the gold goldstandard standardleading leading totorise riseiningold goldprices. prices.

1948 19481950 1950 1953 1953

1957 19571959 19591961 1961

Union UnionofofSouth South Africa Africaabandons abandons the thegold goldstandard. standard.

Election Gold prices Election Gold prices riserise by 44% by 44% NativeTrust Trust Native LandAct Act Land

Urban rban s

th South ns ndons dard. andard.

1960 19601962 1962

Philosophy of of Philosophy apartheid introduced as as apartheid introduced guiding principle of of guiding principle National party.

National party.

Verwoerd Verwoerd appointed appointed as as Minister Minister of of Native Affairs Native Affairs Abolition of of Natives Promotion FirstFirst landland Abolition Natives Promotion Amendment Amendmentof Bantu of Bantu proclamation proclamation Act. Act. self self Natives Natives government government Resettlement Resettlement act act Act. Act.

2044 2044

2047 2047

2048 2048

The Theart artprotests protestshave have asignificant significantimpact impact and nd create createmuch much publicity publicityand and awareness wareness locally locally and nd attracts attractssome some overseas overseasattention. attention. and After Afterseveral severalyears yearsofofdormancy dormancythe the es group groupresponsible responsibleSAPM SAPM(South (South African AfricanPeople’s People’sMovement) Movement)for forthe theart art protests protestscome comeforward forwardand andbegin begintoto ble peacefully peacefullyprotest protestby byoccupying occupying significant significantsites sitesaround aroundthe thecountry. country. .

The Thegroup groupisislead leadby byaamix mixofofraces races from fromvarious variousdemographics. demographics.

Participants Participantsare arealerted alertedvia viaspecial special cellular cellulartechnology. technology.

AAseparate separaterebel rebelactivist activistgroup group s 1616 December 2048 , ,ofofviolence December 2048 surface surface bringing bringing waves waves violence A number ofthe monuments A number ofcountry. monuments e across across the country. andand memorials are are flashflash mobbed memorials mobbed begins begins ete stormed by aggravated stormed by aggravated all Dismantled piece by by civilians.

Dismantled piece various ariouscivilians. ut piece. piece. ound round

AA Revolution Revolution has hasbegun. begun.

urg rg and and ca. a.

Something Something isis brewing... brewing...

Economy Economyplummets. plummets.

Dec Dec2047 2047The Therebels rebels attempt attempttotoassasinate assasinate the thePrime PrimeMinister.

Minister.

Paranoia Paranoiaand andcomplete complete anarchy anarchyensues ensuesand andall all movement movementthroughout throughout the thecountry countryisisshut shut down. down.

1969 1969

UN UNcalls callsfor for airway airway sanctions sanctionswith with South SouthAfrica Africa

1973 19731975 1975

19861988 1983 19831983 1983 1986 19881990 1990

Abolition Abolitionofof

Natives Natives Promotion Promotion First Firstland land Amendment Amendment ofofBantu Bantu proclamation proclamation Act. Act. self self Natives Natives government government Promotion of ofResettlement Radical redraw Promotion Radical redrawact West African West African Resettlement act of map of of economic Act. of map Act. insurgency. insurgency.economic development of of blackblack areasareas in in development Separate Separate Prohibition Prohibitionthe ofofHomelands Segregated SegregatedSouth Free trade FreeAfrica. trade Africa. the Homelands South Act. Act. cemeteries. amenities amenities mixed mixed cemeteries.area areabetween between

Population passes Population passesAct Act AreasAct Act Areas

marriages marriagesact. act.

Population Separate Separate Population AreasAct. Act. Amenities Areas Amenities GroupAreas Areas Act. Act. Group Act. Act.

act. act. whites, whites, coloureds, coloureds, and andasians. asians.Extension Extensionofof University University Education Education Act. Act.

“International “International Hotel” Hotel” Non-white Non-white Luxury hotel.

Luxury hotel.

Surplus Surplus Peoples’ Peoples’ Project.

Project.

Radical Radicalredraw redraw ofofmap mapofof development black developmentofof blackareas areasinin the South theHomelands Homelands SouthAfrica.

Africa.

FW de Klerk becomes FW de Klerk becomes Indian Indian Act. Act. president and and meets president meets trading trading Mandela.

Public Mandela.

Public restrictions restrictions facilities desegregated. facilities desegregated. relaxed. relaxed.

Many ANCANC activists Many activists freed. freed.

1994 1994

2005 2007 2007 2005

RD R D TU T UR RE E

2013 2013 continued... continued...

2008 2008 Indian Indian trading trading restrictions restrictions relaxed. relaxed.

1994 1994

Surplus Surplus Peoples’ Peoples’ Project.

Project.

Abolition of of Abolition apartheid.

ANC winswins apartheid.

ANC Black Black firstfirst non-racial non-racial Communities Communities elections. elections.

Act. Act.

Nelson Nelson Mandela is is Mandela “International “International released. released.

Hotel” Hotel”

Black Black Communities Communities Act.Act.

2008 2008

1986 1988 1988 1990 1990 1986

1989 1989

Promotionofof West WestAfrican African Promotion economic insurgency. insurgency. economic

Verwoerd Verwoerd appointedasas appointed Ministerofof Minister NativeAffairs Affairs Native

1989 1989

1983 1983 1983 1983

1973 1973 1975 1975

1984 1984

FW FWdedeKlerk Klerkbecomes becomes president presidentand andmeets meets Mandela.

Mandela.Public Public facilities facilitiesdesegregated. desegregated.

Many ManyANC ANCactivists activists freed. freed.

2005 20052007 2007

Nelson Nelson Mandela Mandelaisis released. released.

Free Free Settlement Settlement Act. Act.

Jacob Zuma is is Jacob Zuma sacked. sacked.

Universities Universities permit permittoto admit admit students students regardless regardlessofof race. race.

FreeFree Non-white Non-white Settlement Settlement Luxury Luxuryhotel. hotel.

Act.Act.

Abolition Abolitionofof apartheid. apartheid.ANC ANCwins wins first firstnon-racial non-racial elections. elections.

55December December Nelson Nelson Mandela Mandela passes passesaway. away.

2013 2013

continued... continued...

Jacob JacobZuma Zumaisis sacked. sacked.

5 December 5 December Nelson Nelson Mandela Mandela passes away. passes away.

New Newpolitical politicalparty partylaunched launched totochallenge challengethe theANC, ANC, Congress Congressofofthe thePeople.

People.

+100,000 +100,000workers workersinin the thepublic publicsector sector strike strikefor forfour fourweeks. weeks.

NewNew political partyparty launched political launched to challenge the ANC, to challenge the ANC, Congress of the Congress of People. the People.

+100,000 workers in in +100,000 workers the public sector the public sector strikestrike for four weeks. for four weeks.

Population Population resettlement. resettlement. Universities Universities permit to to permit admit admit students students regardless of of regardless race.race.

Population Population resettlement. resettlement.

2048 2048

AAnew newwave waveofoffoot footand and mouth mouthdisease diseasecatches catches farmers farmersby bysurprise. surprise.

Food Foodprices pricesrocket, rocket, making makingititunaffordable unaffordable for formany. many.

1966 1966

1957 1957 1959 1959 1961 1961

1966 1966 1969 1969

1984 1984

1970 1970

1970 1970

Populationpasses Population Act Act passes Areas Areas ActAct

2041 041

1960 1960 1962 1962

1953 1953

Election Election Gold Goldprices prices rise riseby by44% 44%

Philosophy Philosophyofof apartheid apartheidintroduced introducedasas guiding guidingprinciple principleofof UNUN callscalls for for National Nationalparty. party. airway airway sanctions withwith sanctions South Africa South Africa

Prohibition of of Segregated trade Prohibition Segregated FreeFree Separate trade Separate mixed cemeteries. areaarea between mixed cemeteries. amenities between amenities marriages act.act. whites, marriages whites, act.act. coloureds, coloureds, Population Separate Separate andand Population asians. asians.

Extension of of Extension Areas Amenities Areas Act.Act. Amenities University University Group AreasAct.Act. Group Areas Education Education Act.Act. Act. Act.

1954 1954

FU F U

BE AC ON RD BE AC ON RD FU T FU UR TU E RE RD RD

UNUN IO IO N ST N ST

WALTER WALTER SISULU SISULU SQUARE SQUARE OF OF DEDICATION DEDICATION

1931 1931

BE AC ON BE AC ON RD RD

ASH LOW

OLDEST OLDESTRESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT DISTRICTOF OFSOWETO SOWETO PART PARTOF OFKLIPSPRUIT KLIPSPRUIT FARM FARMIN IN1891 1891

33

RD RD

RD PRU IT VALL EY RD PRU IT VALL EY

EST. EST. 2002 2002

POPULATION: POPULATION: APPROX APPROX 22,000 - 22,000 24,000 24,000

SOWETO SOWETO EST. EST. 1963 1963

2053 2053

2053 2053 AA Revolution Revolution has has begun. begun.

Revolution Revolution 16 16December December2048 2048, , AAnumber numberofofmonuments monumentsand and memorials memorialsare areflash flashmobbed mobbed stormed stormedby byaggravated aggravated civilians. civilians.Dismantled Dismantledpiece pieceby by piece. piece.

ends. ends.

TheThe Freedom Charter is is Freedom Charter revived andand reinstated by by revived reinstated the the people. people.

TheThe previous leaders of of previous leaders the the ANC are are thrown outout ANC thrown andand the the Government Government reforms.

Many legislative reforms.

Many legislative changes are are made overover changes made the the 5 years thatthat follow.

5 years follow.

2063 2063

2063 2067 2063 2067 Revolution Revolution

2069 2069

2072 2072

South SouthAfrica Africareturns returnstoto Mining Miningasasone oneofofitsits main mainsources sourcesofofincome. income.

However Howeverstrict strict regulations regulationsare areput putinin place placeand andthe the Government Governmenttakes takescare care on onreinvesting reinvestingthe the South Africa returns to to Investors startstart pouring South Africa returns Investors pouring accumulated accumulatedfunds. funds.

Mining as one of its intointo the the South African Mining as one of its South African main sources of income. economy. main sources of income.

The TheFreedom FreedomCharter Charter iseconomy. is However strict However strict revived revivedand andreinstated reinstatedby by regulations are are putput in in regulations the thepeople. people.

Governement Governementstarts startstoto place andand the the place implement implementpublic publichealth health The Theprevious previousleaders leadersofof Government takes carecare Government takes care careregimes regimesand andrevise revise the theANC ANCare arethrown thrownout out on reinvesting the the on reinvesting the theeducation educationsystem. system. and andthe theGovernment Government accumulated funds. accumulated funds. reforms. reforms.Many Manylegislative legislative changes changes are aremade madeover over TheThe South African Wealth starts to spread Wealth starts to spread South African the the5starts 5years years that that follow.

Government to further south andand businesses Government starts tofollow. further south businesses invest andand startstart returning to the original returning to the original heavily invest Governement starts to to heavily Governement starts strategies in in CBD in Johannesburg. implement strategies CBD in Johannesburg. implement public health implement public health implement AAenergy new new social socialparadigm paradigm Fringe areas of the CBD Fringe areas of the CBD renewable energy carecare regimes andand revise regimes revise renewable follows followswhich whichsees seesabecome amore more residential hubs. sources. become residential hubs. the the education system. education system. sources. seamless seamless transition transition between Planned extension of of between Development in the Development in the Planned extension neighbourhoods. neighbourhoods. the the Gautrain network suburbs plateaus.

Gautrain network Northern Northern suburbs plateaus. to the Southern to the Southern suburbs. suburbs.

ends. ends.

2067 2067

2069 2069

BLACK BLACK GOLD! GOLD!

BLACK BLACK GOLD! GOLD!

2072 2072

2107 2107

2107 2107

Investors Investorsstart startpouring pouring into intothe theSouth SouthAfrican African economy. economy.

South SouthAfrica Africawins wins the thebid bidtotohost host the the2115 2115Rugby Rugby World WorldCup. Cup.

South Africa winswins South Africa hosts the the South Africa South Africa hosts the the bid bid to host Rugby World Cup. to host Rugby World Cup. As Asmore moremoney moneyisisinvested investedinto intoSoweto Sowetoand and the the 2115 Rugby 2115 Rugby Kliptown Kliptownthe theurban urbanfabric fabricstarts startstoto World Cup. World Cup. transform. transform.Streets Streetsare arewidened. widened.Plots Plotsare are joined joinedand andamalgamated. amalgamated.Residential Residentialhigh high rises risesare areconstructed. constructed.Infrastructure Infrastructureisis implemented implemented- -better betterroads, roads,electricity electricityand and GLOBAL transport. transport.Shops Shopsand andretail retailare aredeveloped developedtoto support supportthe thepopulation. population.The Thearea areaofofSoweto Soweto becomes becomesknown knownfor foritsitsarts arts&&culture. culture.

The TheSouth SouthAfrican African Wealth Wealthstarts startstotospread spread Government Governmentstarts startstoto further furthersouth southand andbusinesses businesses heavily heavilyinvest investand and start startreturning returningtotothe theoriginal original implement implementstrategies strategiesinin CBD CBDininJohannesburg.

Johannesburg. renewable renewableenergy energy Fringe Fringeareas areasofofthe theCBD CBD sources. sources. become becomeresidential residentialhubs. hubs.

As more money is invested intointo Soweto andand As more money is invested Soweto Planned Plannedextension extension ofof Development Development inin the the Kliptown theNorthern urban fabric starts to to Kliptown the urban fabric starts the theGautrain Gautrainnetwork network Northern suburbs suburbs plateaus. plateaus. transform.

Streets are are widened.

Plots are are transform.

Streets widened.

Plots totothe theSouthern Southern andand amalgamated.

Residential highhigh joined amalgamated.

Residential suburbs. suburbs. joined risesrises are are constructed.

Infrastructure is is constructed.

Infrastructure implemented - better roads, electricity andand implemented - better roads, electricity The The Gautrain Gautrain network network The Thearea areaofofKliptown Kliptown transport.

Shops retail are developed transport.

Shops and retail are developed to totothrive isand isextended extended through through toto tostarts starts thriveasasmore more support the the population. area of Soweto support population.

The area of Soweto Soweto SowetoThe and and wider wider people peoplestart starttotolive liveand and becomes known for for its arts & culture. becomes known its arts & culture.reside Johannesburg.

Johannesburg. resideoutside outsideofofthe the city. city.Developers Developersstart start buying buyingproperty propertyaround around the thearea areaofofKliptown.

Kliptown.

TheThe Gautrain network areaarea of Kliptown Gautrain network TheThe of Kliptown to thrive as more is extended through to to starts is extended through starts to thrive as more Soweto andand wider people startstart to live andand Soweto wider people to live reside outside of the Johannesburg.

Johannesburg. reside outside of the city.city.

Developers startstart Developers buying property around buying property around the the areaarea of Kliptown. of Kliptown.

A new social paradigm A new social paradigm follows which seessees a more follows which a more seamless transition between seamless transition between neighbourhoods. neighbourhoods.

2115 2115

2109 2109

Redevelopment Redevelopment of of Soweto.

Soweto.

Redevelopment Redevelopment ofofSoweto.

Soweto.

2109 2109

AAnew newtown townisisborn. born.

STATE

A Anew newtown townis isborn. born.

Soweto getsgets ready for for Soweto ready the the largest event it has largest event it has seenseen since the the Football since Football World CupCup in 2008.

World in 2008.

URBAN

system recalibrates recalibrates system

system recalibrates recalibrates system

system recalibrates system recalibrates

system reboot system reboot

system recalibrates system recalibrates

system reboot reboot system

system reboot reboot system

PERSONAL

Soweto Sowetogets getsready readyfor for the thelargest largestevent eventitithas has seen seensince sincethe theFootball Football World WorldCup Cupinin2008.

2008.

58 59

NOVEMBER

1955

1891

signing of the Freedom Charter, known as Freedom Square..

founding of Klipspruit farm.

Site with full permeability and few architectural interventions that restrict movement paths.

Site with full permeability and no restrictions.

GLOBAL GLOBAL

• Traders • Informal settlements • Residents

• Johannesburg becomes famous for its abundance of gold.

STATE STATE

• meat market.

• designation of new land parcels.

URBAN URBAN

• writing and signing of the Freedom Charter.

• new divides in the urban landscape.

PERSONAL/LOCAL PERSONAL/LOCAL

• Group Areas Act • development of suburbs - Soweto • Mining • Politics - ANC

• new inhabitants.

2002 declared as Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication.

Development of roads and infrastructure, hardscapes that start redefining walking paths.

GLOBAL • Johannesburg “World Class African City” • Freedom Square renamed as “Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication” • UNESCO protected site STATE • redevelopment of Soweto.

• redevelopment of Kliptown.

URBAN • street traders in the square.

PERSONAL/LOCAL • trading and full site access to all.

2003

2014

2035

Walter Sisulu Square during construction.

present day Walter Sisulu Square.

area of Kliptown sees its most severe case of flooding.

During construction no thoroughfare through the site affecting street trading and no public site access.

Completed construction allows public access to the site however the architecture imposes new restrictions on movement paths and the ability to trade.

Residents from the informal settlement come in streams from the Western edge of the site.

GLOBAL

GLOBAL

GLOBAL

• reimaging of Soweto and Walter Sisulu Square upon completion.

• The square currently presents itself to the world and tourists as an “Explosion Entertainment centre” • monument or memorial?

• As the site is poorly maintained, its image to the world and reputation changes with it’s tourism sector sharply declining.

STATE

STATE

STATE

• construction of public housing, taxi rank, metrorail, Square.

• continued redevelopment of Kliptown

• All wider redevelopments with Soweto are ceased.

URBAN

URBAN

URBAN

• transport- taxi rank, metrorail • infrastructure • Soweto Country Club • monumental architecture and hardscape

• redevelopment of Kliptown • some trading occurring

• All intended redevelopment of Kliptown is stopped.

PERSONAL/LOCAL

PERSONAL/LOCAL

PERSONAL/LOCAL

• site is closed off during construction

• imposed restrictions on traders by law

• All trading comes to a halt as people inhabit the site. Eventually some informal trading starts to occur around the perimeter of the adjacent sites.

2069

2048

Redevelopment of Kliptown.

As more wealth is invested into the areas south of Johannesburg the urban fabric starts to change. Council plans are revised and property parcels are repackaged. The State still owns the land of Walter Sisulu Square but leases it to a developer to develop the site and then retains a percentage of the annual revenue from the site. However, before the new subdivision plans are fully implemented the area turns into an informal and temporary pavilion space that houses markets and several restaurants.

GLOBAL

Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication is stormed and dismantled.

Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication already in complete disrepair is completely dismantled as people and machinery demolish the buildings in response to the exorbitant government expenditure. The site returns to full pemeability.

GLOBAL

• Attention on the square from a global perspective dies down as new planning rules and business deals are drafted. However the thriving local market is attracting an increasing tourist population.

• The Square is on the world platform again except it is displayed as a place of destruction and quickly becomes the centre of attention through social media.

STATE

STATE

• State authorities recognise the valuable nature of the UNESCO protection that is place on the site and are obliged to keep ownership.

• State authorities are not able to control the devastation seen around various places in the city (below the Sandton area) as the military and police force as vastly outnumbered.

URBAN

URBAN

• Once again the question of the monument and memorial surfaces as locals are involved with how the sites marked history can be ‘remembered’ or embodied.

• The square is completely flattened and debri is left on the site.

PERSONAL/LOCAL PERSONAL/LOCAL

• Trading still occurs on the site but within a more ‘gentrified’ environment.

• People from the the local communities are actively involved in dismantling the site.

STUDIO/WILSON

2115 After years of regeneration and cleansing a restored but enhanced wetland is born. However due to climate change meaning increased rainfall the water level has risen. A greenbelt is designated through to the golf course. And the wetlands are resotred to the community.

Providing food and clean water, and a place for recreational activity to occur. A growing vertical farm tower supports the community and market.

GLOBAL • The ‘square’ is returned to its memory as land and becomes known for its unique aggregated vertical farm.

STATE • Kliptown produce helps to support the rest of Johannesburg and is part of an aqueduct system.

URBAN • linked to the transport Klipspruit transport hub 1min away.

PERSONAL/LOCAL • traders return to the site.

S T U D I O 3 /4 R E V I E W.

S T U D I O 3 /4 R E V I E W.

A sectional cut through the site showing the timeline on the previous spread.

Images from top to bottom: A polluted wetland and township that transforms to a clean autonomous area.

ASH LOW

220000

393000

160000

320000

Wildlife slowly returns to the wetland. Whilst some species are reintroduced to help balance the ecosystem.

Site Boundary

Site Boundary

393000

Markets and trading still occurs.

rainwater is not being collected in the right places.

Klipspruit Eastern Bank Soweto

220000

STAGE 2: WETLAND PROGRESS

160000

The environment is extremely polluted and the wetland ecosystem is nearly beyond restoration.

Whilst the water levels of the wetland are rising,

After 5 years the barges start to show a huge improvement to the water quality and wetland ecosystem.

2105

The Western edge of the site starts to get built up to prevent further erosion and the approaching waterline.

393000

STAGE 1: CLEANING UP THE WETLAND BEGINS Western Bank Soweto

Dlamini Western Bank Soweto

2100

Virtually no wildlife exists as the wetland becomes in habitable.

Site Boundary

220000

Site Boundary

Klipspruit Eastern Bank Soweto

Western Bank Soweto

Dlamini Western Bank Soweto

Large planted barges are placed in the existing wetland to extract the pollutants from the water.

320000

The embankment is complete. Trees are planted to help keep and maintain the topography.

160000

320000

The state of the wetland after 5 years of intensive clean up. Development around the site has been well underway for several years.

The wetland is fully restored and provides clean water for Kliptown and the wider Soweto and Southern Johannesburg area.

Recreational activites start to occur on the barges such as fishing.

However swimming is not encouraged due to some of the wildlife.

An elevated board walk along the wetland’s coast line is developed. Some restaurants and cafes are located near the waterfront.

The market is kept on barges which are able to move with the seasons and are not subject to flooding.

Train station and the Kliptown aqueduct is completed.

More and more of the tower is slowly added to according to need. And the farm tower quickly grows.

Current tower after 10 years of growth.

Construction of the high speed train network and aqueduct system begins.

60 61

CHAPTER VII

DECEMBER

2014

Indirect voices of exile and cunning. •

exile, cunning, secrecy (being silent about something) e c l e c t i c - n o f o r m o f i n t e g r i t y, c o l l e c t i o n o f s t y l e s cunning - can do something - achieve something people think is impossible

W E E K 7.

Yehuda Safran, 12 Dialectical Poetical Strategies

ASH LOW

You can't do it.

I sat at the heavy oak dining table, upright in its matching chair with a straw seat.

I had a proposition and everything was planned out in my mind. The sense of adventure has plagued and poisoned me ever since I left the Bay. I guess they call it the travel bug.

My hands were clammy and my stomach started knotting. My feet were swaying beneath the chair and I was dragging my toes along the Persian rug. I think I was nervous.

So I told them my plan.

They knew it was coming. They were hurt. And I understood.

But then came the unexpected, “you won’t get in.” My father said.

I was instantaneously enraged. I had never been challenged like that before. The words cut, unclean like a blunt blade. “They won’t accept you.” He said rubbing salt in the wound.

I looked down in shame, bruised, hurt and confused.

I raised my head; Undefeated.

“Watch me.” I said. ~

62 63

DECEMBER

VIGNETTES

Yogamaya in Chelsea.

Studio photo.

It’s really time for steamboat weather.

Learning Max.

Go Nets!

A yellow Mclaren and a yellow cab.

Murakami

Festive Columbia. Schools out for the year

Neri Oxman at the Cooper Hewitt.

Hello New York from Liberty Island.

Dandelion.

Reflecting.

ASH LOW

Chelsea markets.

Dear New York, this is not a pie. Your’s sincerely, Ash.

Freedom Tower.

Pointilism.

Cute little tyke on Centre Street.

Grand Central.

Merry Christmas from the Low/ Kang :)

Stair models at the Cooper Hewitt.

Eero Saarinen.

The National Space museum. A replica of moon landing machine!

Rock.

The amazing deliciousness of Barbalu. Beef ravioli with truffle oil.

64 65

DECEMBER

F I N A L . U LT R A R E A L .

Interior render.

F I N A L . U LT R A R E A L .

Exterior render.

U LT R A R E A L

ASH LOW

F I N A L . U LT R A R E A L .

Exterior render.

66 67

DECEMBER

HARVESTING MEMORY + A D D WAT E R Urban Futures/Future Architectures Africa 6.0 / Mabel Wilson / Zach Colbert, Carson Smuts / Fall 2014 situates itself within the global force of climate change. It assumes a radical position where the environmental dynamics of Johannesburg and South Africa are drastically changed. A once dry and arid country is now inundated with heavy flooding seasons and the race for higher terra firma is on. Gold is no longer the prized commodity as clean water and fertile ground become the key sources for survival.

The project’s site is currently named Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication.

It is located next to a wetland and is a UNESCO protected site. Informal settlements with some 22,000 - 24,000 residents occupy the margin of land that exists between the site and wetland to the West.

In the wake of a post apartheid South Africa, a huge push has been created to reboot and re-image a former world of segregation. At present a hard scaped territory of cryptic symbolism that is unsympathetic and alien to its surrounding context inhabits the site. It is currently used for some street trading and is historically famous as the place where the Freedom Charter was drafted.

Harvesting Memory returns the site to its earliest memory as a blank land canvas. Residents from the informal settlement seek higher ground and begin to reside on the site. As the water level continues to rise the polluted water from the wetland begins to spread. The lack of clean water forces the residents to initiate the cleaning of the wetlands using techniques of phytoremediation.

As results start to show they begin to harvest and nurture the strip of land that extends through to the current golf club. The topography of the site begins to transform as they construct an “arcological” landform overtime. The building is able to support the community through agriculture and exports its produce to neighbouring suburbs and districts.

STUDIO/WILSON

ASH LOW

F I N A L R E V I E W.

RENDER. NEXT SPREAD.

A render of my prediction of Johannesburg in 100 years time.

A cavernous, lush wetland habitat that has evolved overtime.

68 69

DECEMBER

STUDIO/WILSON

ASH LOW

70 71

DECEMBER

STUDIO/WILSON

RENDER. Another interior render showing the immense vegetation and agriculture aspect of the building.

RENDER. Another interior render showing the immense vegetation and agriculture aspect of the building.

ASH LOW

SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE.

SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE.

A render showing the layers of the wetland on the ground terrain and the strata of program that gets built up.

A render showing the layers of the wetland on the ground terrain and the strata of program that gets built up.

72 73

A R C H I T E CT U R A L R E P R E S E N TAT I O N .

Thought I would try and make a hologram. Since it was too small I had to film it and show it as part of my presentation. However it worked. Using a progrector, 2 humidifiers and some piping selected by a very helpful Home Depot employee.

The hologram was to experiemnt with another form of representation and imaging. Commentating on the layering, transcience and transparency of imagery.

DECEMBER

STUDIO/WILSON

ASH LOW

74 75

DECEMBER

10

700

STUDIO/WILSON

10

9

700

9 600

600

8

8

500

7

500

7

6

6 400

400

5

5

300

WALTER SISULU SQAURE OF DEDICATION

300

4

4

3

3

200

2

2015 Present status of the Wetland which is heavily polluted.

SOWETO COUNTRY CLUB

100 1

0

0

Above ground Water Level (m)

200

2

Conc of SO4

Conc of TSD

2035 Acid mine drainage has reached the Environmental Critical Level.

Peak flooding season.

10

100 1

0

0

Above ground Water Level (m)

Conc of SO4

Peak flooding season.

700

10

9

700

9 600

600

8

8

500

7

500

7

6

6 400

400

5

5

300

300

4

4

3

3

200

2

2045 Acid mine drainage is past the ECL. The wetland is nearly beyond repair.

200

2

100 1

0

0

Above ground Water Level (m)

Conc of TSD

Conc of SO4

Conc of TSD

2055 The wetland is already showing improvements after 5 years of intense restoration and enhancement

Peak flooding season.

100 1

0

0

Above ground Water Level (m)

Conc of SO4

Conc of TSD

Peak flooding season.

TIME BASED DIAGRAMS.

10

These diagrams show the spread of pollution across the wetland and then how it gets cleaned over time.

700

9 600

8

500

7

6 400

5

300 4

3

200

2

2115

The full extent of the restored and extended wetland at peak flood season.

100 1

0

0

Above ground Water Level (m)

Conc of SO4

Peak flooding season.

Conc of TSD

ASH LOW

2015

2100

DEVELOPMENT OVER 60 YEARS

2070

2055

WET SEASON TIDE

DATUM

WET SEASON TIDE

2035

2015

2055

2100

DEVELOPMENT OVER 60 YEARS

2070

2085

160000

SITE BOUNDARY

2115

320000

SITE BOUNDARY

320000

KLIPSPRUIT EASTERN BANK SOWETO

SITE BOUNDARY

2085

160000

SITE BOUNDARY

2100

DEVELOPMENT OVER 60 YEARS

2070 KLIPSPRUIT EASTERN BANK SOWETO

2115

2070

2055

2055

WET SEASON TIDE

DATUM

WET SEASON TIDE DRY SEASON TIDE

DRY SEASON TIDE

2070

2055

2100

2070

2085

SITE BOUNDARY

2100

DEVELOPMENT OVER 60 YEARS

160000

SITE BOUNDARY

2115

KLIPSPRUIT EASTERN BANK SOWETO

SITE BOUNDARY

2085

160000

SITE BOUNDARY

2100

DEVELOPMENT OVER 60 YEARS

2085 KLIPSPRUIT EASTERN BANK SOWETO

2115

2070

2055 DATUM

2035

DRY SEASON TIDE

DRY SEASON TIDE

DATUM

320000

2070

2055 DATUM

2085

160000

SITE BOUNDARY

2115

SITE BOUNDARY

320000

KLIPSPRUIT EASTERN BANK SOWETO

SITE BOUNDARY

2085

160000

SITE BOUNDARY

2100

DEVELOPMENT OVER 60 YEARS

KLIPSPRUIT EASTERN BANK SOWETO

2115

2035

2055

WET SEASON TIDE

DATUM

WET SEASON TIDE DRY SEASON TIDE

DRY SEASON TIDE

2100

2085

TIME BASED DIAGRAMS.

2115

These diagrams show the development of the layered building on the site over time.

2085

2070

2055 DATUM

WET SEASON TIDE DRY SEASON TIDE

2115

320000

SITE BOUNDARY

DEVELOPMENT OVER 60 YEARS

160000

SITE BOUNDARY

2100

KLIPSPRUIT EASTERN BANK SOWETO

2115

76 77

DECEMBER

MASTER PLAN — PROJECTED 2115

STUDIO/WILSON

WETLAND BOUNDARY

THE WETLAND Wetland Zone -Barge location during the off season Wetland Zone - Barge location during the rainy/flood season

THE MARGIN Flood Berm Zone

Spring filter Zone

THE DOCKLANDS Primary Catchment Zone Secondary Catchment and Storage Zone

Distribution, Treatment, Sanitation Zone Minimum Waterline during the dry season in 2115 Maximum Waterline during Flood 2115 Train system Train station - mainly for produce distribution. Reduced local passenger schedule.

WETLAND BOUNDARY

SITE PLAN 2115 PROJECTED FOCUS AREA DURING FLOOD SEASO FOCUS SITE

WETLAND BOUNDARY

SITE PLAN — PROJECTED FOCUS AREA 2115

Focus Area Existing building footprint

8

Minimum Waterline during Drought in 2115

7

9

6

8

Maximum Waterline during Flood 2115

A’

8

DEEP

9 7

Water catchment and storage region

8

8

7

SHALLOW

10

7

9 8

BO

9

Metro rail system

8

RE GIO N

9

BE RM

Train station - mainly for produce distribution. Reduced local passenger schedule.

FL OO D

Water flow

OF

SLOW

BO UN DA RY

FAST

EGIO N

OF

10

SPRIN G FIL TER R

Barge area during the rainy/flood season

A’’

11

U N DA RY

Barge area during the drought season

9 10

8

7

ND ARY OF

Spring filter region Flood Berm

9

BO U

BA RG ER EGIO N

Aqueduct and irrigation network

ASH LOW

1.

PRECIPITATION rainfall

Rainfall

Absorption layer

PLANTING EROSION CONTROL DRAINAGE LAYER

Planting

direction of water travel, downhill to a catchment or storage area.

Erosion control

Substrate holding plants

Drainage layer

FLOOR PLATE SOFFIT

water direction of travel

substrate holding plants

Water travels on the underside of the floor plate and is taken in by the plants through to the absorption layer.

2.

ABSORPTION LAYER

Water drips off plants to the floor plates water travels on the underside of the floor plate andbelow is taken

FLOOR PLATE SOFFIT

depth of floor plate varies in various areas.

1.5m - 4m

in by the plants through to the absorption layer.

water drips off plants and is picked up by the floor plate below

P R E V I O U S PAG E.

POROSITY

See captions on image.

Aperture

Aperture to let light through

APERTURE

APERTURE TO LET LIGHT THROUGH

Ground floor

Barges can be docked.

The terrain is terraced to help create a walkable incline for most.

GROUND FLOOR

3.

C U R R E N T PAG E.

FLOATING

These three diagrams show some of the features of the building.

1. talks about the collection of rain water of plants in the ceiling and on the floor plates.

Barges can be moved and tethered together to create larger islands.

Barges can be docked. The terrain is terraced to help create a walkable incline for most.

canthe be permeation moved 2. Porosity Barges looks at of light tethered through theand floor plates so plants on the together to create ground level can receive some light. larger islands.

3. Floating is the idea of a barge system.

The barges would rise and fall according to the seasonal flood tides.

Wet/Flood Season ‘Tide’

Dry Season ‘Tide’

78 79

FILM MAKING. A short 3 minute film that was a compilation of things I had filmed over the semester. It features the data visualisations from earlier in the semester, the hologram, time based conceptual model, audio snippets from documentaries, and snippets from the trip.

DECEMBER

STUDIO/WILSON

ASH LOW

80 81

CHAPTER VIII

JANUARY

2015

Visible Invisible. •

Having something in front of your mind and that i s a l l y o u s e e / l o o k f o r. how do we imagine what we imagine? the problem of seeing

WEEK 8.

Yehuda Safran, 12 Dialectical Poetical Strategies

ASH LOW

Blind.

That was awesome! (Little did I know it was about to get awesomer.)

I walked to the front of mosh pit that had since emptied, hoping for a left over bottle of water. The stage crew had already started their routine. With only the thought of thirst on my mind someone pushed a small object into my hand. Woah woah woah! It was John Frusciante's pick! Yeah-yahhhh. I politely thanked them and turned my back to the stage, completely surprised by my luck.

As I walked to the back of the venue another object flew over my head. A drumstick! I raced to grab it.

Although it was difficult to pick up as a girl had the other end. We started this strange tug of war. She was pulling very vigorously and I wondered about the potential of splinters.

Then she snarled so viciously, tore a look of possessed eyes at me and screamed "F*** OFF it's MINE." I let go immediately.

I walked away totally bemused and bewildered that the situation had even occurred in the first place. I thought about how ridiculous it would have looked to a bystander and then about the sea of rage and greed that satiated her consciousness. "If it makes her happy." I shrugged.

82 83

JANUARY

VIGNETTES

Happy New Year kids!

Goodnight New York.

Tipsy Parson. Great southern food in Chelsea.

Super taste. Chinatown.

Hurry up and take the photo!

It’s minus 8 degrees.

My local station, currently freezing.

Thanks Lotti. Sunday Supper usual.

Lemon Cake! made by me :)

It’s my milkshake.

Happy to my Bones.

Majestic tabby cat. Pishi.

No comment.

ASH LOW

Lotti does a good Lasagne.

Hi Lily. We miss you. xxxx

Baked pork buns from our Chinatown favourite.

Brownie made in a cake tin.

So I grew sick of standing outside the subway in freezing temperatures for google maps to load, so I finally bought a new one.

Letters to Women at the Public theatre with Emma.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Black Iron feast. So delicious.

Alphabet city.

We found Nick a flat. Right by the water.

The last of my whittakers chocolate.

Mercury Lounge with the girls.

A terrible fire over in Jersey.

84 85

JANUARY

STUDIO/SAMPLE

255m

A’

1

2

3

4

5 6

7 8

r=123756.83

9

10

11

ide

32

31

12

div dule

33

34

35

36

37

30

13

29

mo

r=100467.80

28

14

27

15

12m

26

16

25 17

24

18 19

20

21

22

23

r=281729.01

r=305729.01

A”

100

STUDIO WEEK 1.

P R E C E D E N T P R O J E C T. My own interpreted site plan of Alfonso Eduardo Reidy’s Predegulho Housing in Rio de Janeiro.

150

200

ASH LOW

15.00

371.00

P E D R E G U L H O D E TA I L S. Drawings of the tile details from the Redregulho housing.

19

0

0.

0

0 6.

0

15

86 87

JANUARY

STUDIO/SAMPLE

View to the East (Bay of Guanabara)

STREET

STREET

PEDR HOU

ASH LOW

PEDREGULHO SECTION. A section of the whole campus.

View to the West

PEDREGULHO HOUSING

BLOCK B APARTMENTS

HEALTH CENTRE

LAUNDRY

Roof

22000

Level 7

19000

Level 6

16000

Level 5

13000

Level 4

10000

Level 3

6000

Level 2

3000

Level 1

0

Basement

-9000

P E D R E G U L H O E L E VAT I O N .

An unrolled drawing of the building.

Roof

22000

Level 7

19000

Level 6

16000

Level 5

13000

Level 4

10000

Level 3

6000

Level 2

3000

Level 1

0

Basement

-9000

DIT TO. See caption above.

88 89

CHAPTER IX

FEBRUARY

2015

The Unnameable ornaments - diametrics of time temporality - simple to the most intricate. phenomenological reduction

W E E K 9.

Yehuda Safran, 12 Dialectical Poetical Strategies

ASH LOW

Paralysis.

My eyes shot open. I checked my watch. 3am. "Witching hour" as it's called. I groaned at the thought of having to get out of bed to use the bathroom. Lazily I stared up at the ceiling and then the shadows in my room. Something wasn't right. I glanced around the room again and paused. What's that in the corner? Mildly freaked out I checked again, drifting over the darkness of my curtains, mirror, bookshelf, sheepskin rug and door. Nothing. But there's definitely something there. Something in the corner, diagonally across from me, approximately three metres away.

My eyes widened. A strange nebula of black dust had formed, sneering in the corner. If evil had a form it was that plus more. I needed to get out. To run. The hairs on the back of my neck and my arms were raised. I had goosebumps all over. I couldn't move. But why?! I'm a fast runner! What is happening? Meanwhile the dust was pulsating and swirling as though it was charging for an attack.

My eyes were still wide. The darkness saw my fear and this time made a swift attack. Still paralysed I braced myself as it made its assault, crushing my throat trying to suck out my soul.

My eyes were tightly closed. Cemented shut. I grimaced as it weighed down my chest. Then it suddenly went away.

My eyes opened. It was gone. I was wrong. It came back with vengeance, tightening its vice. My whole body was tense and I felt my energy leave me and arctic tips of evil trickled down my spine.

Yet I wasn't going to let it possess me. It couldn't take my mind. It retreated again getting ready for another assault. So I got ready to mobilise. It came again at full strength but this time I was too strong. Strength roared through my veins and an avalanche of power drove it away. The cloud momentarily cowered in the corner shocked by my tenacity. One second later it was gone for good.

My eyes shot open. An uncomfortable sweat was laced through my pajamas. What just happened?

Scared and exhausted I looked around the room. The shadows were the same.

My eyes closed.

90 91

FEBURARY

VIGNETTES

Homemade baking.

Father and Son subway sleeping.

“The best workout in the world.”

- Now I’m not so sure about that...

The McKittrick Hotel.

Curry virginity stolen!

Looks like I won’t be going anywhere...

“To the engagement!”

Lotti catering for my Vegetarianism.

Pork schnitzel pile.

The coolest shoes, Y-3’s in SoHo.

Okay New York, this is not okay.

So it’s in farenheit but I know this means H O T.

ASH LOW

“Are you looking at me or my reflection?”

Spinning plates at Isabel Marant.

Let the model making begin!

Columbia under a white blanket.

Nostalgia. The best movie ever.

CNC Routing.

Ridiculously good cookies.

Want to try mine? Oh wait we got the same thing.

Maoz vegetarian. Haven’t had this since Spain!

Why why why?!?!

So my school fees go towards these pretty trees.

Looks like going vegetarian for Lent didn’t work out...

92 93

FEBURARY

STUDIO/SAMPLE

B’ A”

C’

C”

A’

M I DT E R M . S T R AT E G Y Development of the idea of a strategy to interlink the existing buildings, taking on board the assumption that they are regenerated into housing. My focus will look at a small interlinking part of several buildings.

MIDTERM. PLAN. First plan of the walkway and how it could connect the buildings.

B”

ASH LOW

Emergent 38m

Canopy 29m

Understory 17m

REGION STRUCTURE OCCUPIES Structure Datum 8m Undergrowth 5m

POINTS WHERE THE STRUCTURE MUST MEET THE GROUND FOR STRUCTURAL, ENTRY/ EXIT REASONS

MIDTERM. What I thought the layering of the tree canopy could be like across the site and how my building would sit amongst the existing vegetation.

Emergent 38m

MIDTERM. TOPOGRAPHY The terrain on the walkway that would not be read in elevation and then the activity that could occur beneath the walkway.

Canopy 29m

As the rainforest matures and grows the walkway will receive more shading during the hot hours of the day.

Understory 17m During the hot midday spells the walkway and rainforest canopy help to provide various sunshading.

Structure Datum 8m Undergrowth 5m

94 95

FEBURARY

UP

UP

UP

UP UP

PLAN

+FFL 1000

SECTION

+FFL 200

+FFL 500

+FFL 1200

PLAN

SECTION

SECTION

ELEVATION

500

700

800 1000 200

1000 800 700 600 500

PLAN

SECTION

LANDSCAPE

PLATFORMS

ENCLOSED ELEVATORS

STUDIO/SAMPLE

ASH LOW

P R E V I O U S PAG E. TOPOGRAPHICAL S T R AT E G I E S. Ideas on the different terrain on the walkway and landscaping.

H ATC H I N G .

Scales of represenation.

M A T E R I A L I T Y. Experimenting with materiality.

Aggregate concrete. Honed/fair faced/polished. wood.

Core ten steel.

Terracotta.

Zinc.

96 97

CHAPTER X

MARCH

2015

Zimzum and Reductions zimzum - extreme reduction a way of being aware, thinking The origin of the work of art no object without subject, vice versa, no subject without object what is consciousness?

W E E K 10.

Yehuda Safran, 12 Dialectical Poetical Strategies

ASH LOW

Iceland.

The room was nothing special.

A door in the corner allowed our entrance.

However, on the floor were some matte cylinders 2 feet in height.

They appeared solid and heavy in elevation. They had a puzzling transparency.

They looked like some boring extrusions of ice.

And then we looked at them in plan.

A pure slickness of blue engulfed the taste buds in our eyes as they feasted on the most exquisite colour they had ever seen. Except it was not just the colour. The surface was so smooth it looked liquid. These gelatinous blobs in a room were really true art.

We had just visited Iceland.

98 99

MARCH

VIGNETTES

Mid semsster crits before leaving for Rio.

Nuyorican Poets Cafe in East Village.

First day in Rio de Janeiro

The Berring artist studio.

Pedregulho Housing

MOMA

Ipanema Beach.

Peter and Audrey at our studio lunch.

Jumbo Blueberries.

Apartment hunting with Aud, Howie, Lotti and Mike.

The bank vault at 20 Exchange.

Some kiwi talent at Irving Plaza. Broods.

ASH LOW

Bright lights.

Borders. The tiles in the city Library in Rio.

This old man kindly let us into his villa complex. He’s 90.

Sugar Loaf.

Reidy.

Neimeyer’s cathedral looking like a valendrome or skate park.

Brasilia!

The painful plane trip home.

Happy Birthday and Farewell Char! Going to miss you! X

Moving apartments. Queens being queens.

Hi.

People watching stage. Featuring the randoms.

100 101

K I N N E T R I P. S T U D I O . S I T E .

RIO DAS PEDRAS. The vegetation around the buildings.

EXISTING TOWERS. RIO DAS PEDRAS The breathtaking view from one the existing towers on our site.

MARCH

FAVEL AS. RIO DAS PEDRAS. The stream that separates the favela which is strewn with rubbish.

STUDIO/SAMPLE

FAVEL AS. RIO DAS PEDRAS. Inside the favela.

ASH LOW

ROCINHA. The largest favela in the Brazil. Featuring Audrey, Romina, Ash.

102 103

DESK CRITS. More experiments with materiality in elevation.

MARCH

STUDIO/SAMPLE_URBAN HISTORY I

ASH LOW

Earthquakes and Urban Morphology in Naples and L’A q u i l a The contribution of Earthquakes to the urban history of many cities has had a significant impact on their d e v e l o p m e n t a n d p r e s e n t d a y m o r p h o l o g y. T h e unpredictable nature of Earthquakes and the lack standardised scientific measurement in ancient times makes it challenging to understand the true impacts of these seismic events. Furthermore many settlers would not have known the seismic limitations on sites.

This paper aims to study the impact of earthquakes on urban morphology, through the analysis of the cities Naples and L’Aquila. However, this paper will look at selected buildings in each city from various scales and typologies. An outline of the urban morphology and layout of each city is discussed followed by a section of illustrations with annotated drawings. The paper will compare and analyse architectural changes in style, structure and technology at a range of scales in relation to both domestic and civic examples over time in parallel with these earthquake environments. It will discuss the relationship within the urban fabric in parallel with post earthquake damage assessment.

MIDTERM. Daniel Sherer’s Urban History I.

104 105

APRIL

CHAPTER XI

2015

Sense and Nonsense the more ‘original’ the more difficult to comprehend. how is the meaning of words established? w o r d s m i m i c t h e q u a l i t y o f a n o b j e c t /s o u n d detecting nonsense, stretching meaning

WEEK 11.

Yehuda Safran, 12 Dialectical Poetical Strategies

ASH LOW

Fragments.

"Have I ever told you about this game I play in the streets of New York?" Tom enquired.

"What game?" Replied Lotti.

"It's called Fragments. Basically whenever you're walking down the street you just zone in and out of people's conversations..."

"So it's basically eaves dropping."

"Well not exactly, because you're walking in the street and they're on the move too. So, you only ever hear part of people's conversations." Tom persuaded.

"What's so interesting about that?" Lotti questioned, sounding unconvinced.

"As you start walking around more and more, you start noticing that certain fragments are typical to only certain people and certain places, even certain train lines. And after time certain fragments that you hear can be assigned to a certain type of person or stereotype."

"And..."

"It's the anomalies that are interesting; the ones that catch you off guard."

"Maybe I'll try it out."

"It's as addictive as angry birds I promise." Tom challenged.

106 107

APRIL

VIGNETTES

Chet Faker at Terminal 5.

Hey doggie, do you come with the apartment?

Dinner with the flatties at Fishmarket in South Street Seaport.

Checking out the archives at Avery. The Poem of the Right Angle.

A double bed at last.

Bacon and Egg pie. Haven’t had pie for a long time.

I think I’ve found my calling.

Packing models.

Friday class.

Curly fries from Potato Corner.

Happy Birthday Shailee! From the rooftop of Monarch.

Testing out the food at Brookfields.

Setting up for the TriBeCa film festival.

ASH LOW

The tumble weed of New York.

Vegetarian food by Lotti.

The new Fulton Street Station.

Experimenting with trees.

This guys asleep.

Spring has Sprung! Finally! It’s been the longest and coldest winter OF MY LIFE.

Mexican food in Seaport with Audrey.

Dinner cooked by Howie. Japanese Curry. YUM.

Foggy Columbia.

Last desk crit before finals!

Seamless takeout. Vietnamese and Sichuan food.

Dumplings with peanut sauce by Lotti.

108 109

APRIL

STUDIO/SAMPLE

CONCURSO CONCOURSE Architecture and the Micro-Urban, Rio de Janeiro / Hilary Sample /Ivi Diamantopoulou / Spring Semester 2015 is an initiative which connects two separate worlds; a group of high rise towers and an immensely dense favela located in Rio das Pedras.

The present condition of the site contains 6 high rise, abandoned housing blocks that are surrounded by dense vegetation. Directly adjacent to the site is a favela condition where 60,000 to 100,000 people reside.

The architectural proposal assumes that the existing towers are regenerated into housing and focuses on the end points of three specific towers on the site.

The architectural strategy uses a bridge;cloister like structure to create public space, whilst connecting diverse programs that are located on the ground and level 1 floors of the existing towers.

Concurso Portuguese for Concourse is an assemblage of the bridge, arcade, urban space and mixed use typologies.

The “bridge” piece serves as a “prosthesis” as it attaches itself to the existing infrasturcture.

It aims to assist • the circulation of pedestrians, • preserve, maintain and contribute to the existing vegetation, • a place of congregation for residents The “bridge” creates two public plazas. Arches that are underneath the bridge can accommodate flexible public programs or amenities for residents. The existing vegetation forms a canopy of shade as well as natural ventilation and cooling.

F I N A L R E V I E W. R E N D E R S .

Top: Perspective from the entrance of the favela.

Middle: Underneath the walkway.

Bottom: On top of the walkway.

ASH LOW

110 111

APRIL

STUDIO/SAMPLE

F I N A L R E V I E W. M O D E L S .

1:500 Model of the entire walkway and are of focus. Thanks Howie for helping to plant the trees. You the best.

ASH LOW

F I N A L R E V I E W. M O D E L S .

1:200 Model from basswood and balsa.

112 113

APRIL

M A I L B OX D E TA I L .

CNC with layers of gesso, sanding and PVA.

WA L K WAY T E S T I N G .

The various handcut 1:500 models to test the triangulation of the walkway.

Far image. Close up test of embossing with thin sheets of copper.

M O D E L F A M I LY. Almost all of the models made throughout

STUDIO/SAMPLE

ASH LOW

95.00

10.00

300.00

M A I L B OX D E TA I L .

Drawing of the mailbox detail.

SCHLOMO TREES. Frames from a short context video that ran whilst I was presenting. One thing that was quite extraordinary was the swaying trees that you could see from the towers.

120 121

APRIL

STUDIO/SAMPLE

ASH LOW

SHORT SECTION. 1:200

122 123

MAY

CHAPTER XII

2015

B ro ke n Ve s s e l s how does anyone become what they have become? kabbahlah - concept of explaining diverseness and multiplicity in creation as well as the origin of evil.

ASH LOW

Salut!

A South African, Scotsman, Norwegian, Kiwi and Egyptian all sat around the table, tucked away in a cabin up in the Yosemites.

Snow gathered as night fell.

Fully synchronised they all said their cheers, tilted their glasses and proceeded to tuck into their dinner. It was an evening filled with glorious banter and friendship. But the room was burdened with a bittersweet-ness; they knew this would be the first and last time this would ever happen.

124 125

M AY

VIGNETTES

Our new rooftop :)

Adult play pen. Something I don’t think I’ll ever get used to New York. (Fences around parks.)

Rustman sleeping!

Nothing like homecooked fried rice.

Ivy’s model.

Mimi Hoang inspecting Dihua and Yannan’s model.

Seungbum and Yehuda at the last supper for the semester.

I WANT IT. On the shelves at ACE bar in East Village.

ASH LOW

Avocado on toast with marmite I’ve missed you so much!

Having a couple of drinks before our final...

I actually just wanted to chat, but he assumed that I wanted a selfie. (It’s the guy from criminal minds.)

The Sunday before portfolio is due. But I can’t resist the sunshine!

Let the crits begin!

Mondi presenting.