Gerhard Allers Post Grad Portfolio - Nelson Mandela University

Profile

Gradute of Nelson Mandela University

Currently completing Master of Architecture (Proffesional) - 2023

Based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Interested in the exploration of sustainable & passive design, particularly in Residential Architecture

Gerhard Allers

I am a Master of Architecture student, particularly interested in sustainable and passive design, with a focus on low eco footprints.

I enjoy group dynamics as I am keen to recieve guidance and and develop superior methods to recieve superior results.

As technology is constantly evolving, I am excited to persue the application thereof, to the benefit of individuals, communities as well as the commercial sector.

South African citizen.

WORK EXPERIANCE

» Bartender / Waiter 2018 - Present

The Cow Shed - East London

On and off holiday help during holidays and breaks. Family-owned restaurant and bar. Management assistant, dealing with most client issues front of house. Great experience with dealing with difficult and sometimes unreasonable customers.

» Board Member 2020 - Present

Chasa - Confederation of Hunting Associations of SA

An original member of the Youth Committee founded in 2020.

Co-Organizer and co-founder of National Hunting Day and related competitions, advertising campaigns, and planning.

EDUCATION

» Matric

Hoërskool Grens

2018

» Bachelors of Architectural Studies

Nelson Mandela University - Port Elizabeth 2019 - 2021

» Bachelors of Architectural Studies - Honors

Nelson Mandela University - Port Elizabeth

2022

» Master of Architecture - MArch (Prof)

Nelson Mandela University - Port Elizabeth

2023

SKILLS

(IN PROGRESS)

INTERESTS

Community-Run Recycling Intervention

Abstract

The design of a Community-Run Recycling Intervention towards an expression of “Korstenness”, as a catalytic gesture towards recycling and regeneration of a dens commercially integrated residential area. It began with an interest in the rejuvenation of a repressed, disheveled community through a catalyst structure.

The inventive nature of Korsten, combined with a diverse cultural society, lends itself to some interesting possibilities in terms of spatial language, materiality as well as new modes of negotiating space. Like many cities, Port Elizabeth has a dense population of diverse cultures, each with their own sense of self and manner of expressing these values.

The design and implementation of a community-based recycling intervention provides a unique opportunity for the residents of Korsten to form their own expression while simultaneously improving their community through recycling of waste and economic growth due to the attraction of more visitors.

Division of Built Mass

Open & Enclosed

Spatial Hierarchy

Ground Floor

Fairview Mixed Use Complex

Recreational,

Abstract

This presentation is a combination of 2 projects run in the final year of my BAS degree. These 2 projects work together to create a new urban block in the area of fairview.

Part 1 was to design a public rec center, focussing on the spatial and technicle requirements of a bowling alley, laser tag arena as well as a rock climbing wall.

Part 2 focussed on a residential and commercial node intergrated into the rec center.

This urban scale proposal deals with the issues of sustainable urban space making that enco urages a community lifestyle where most common services required by a community is encapsulated in a single modular development.

The development of this project aims to inprove the public realm in Fairview by focussing on providing a “community living complex” that balances residential, recreational and other basic services necessary for a thriving community.

The ground floor is focussed on the public domain and provides spaces for both commercial and recreational activities, while providing positive urban space for visitors and residents to mingle and relax.

Along the edges of the site there are several opportunities for taxi, bus and private parking / drop off with a large scale basement for longer term parking.

The upper floors of the proposal focusses on further recreational activity on the east, while the western block provides a multitude of spaces for commercial activity such as retail spaces, small private office units as well as basic medical facilities.

The top level is a composition of family living arangements, with consideration for individual and couple living included among the larger units.

A public rooftop that serves as a gathering and socializing space for the residents of the complex also provides a touch of the natural to accentuate these spaces.

The park elements act to soften the hard masonry edges of the proposed structures, while encouraging pause for those visiting.

A large scale basement stretches under almost the entire site playing multiple roles. It mainly serves as parking space both for residents and visitors.

This basement is also broken up so that it becomes the service space for the equipment used in the recreational spaces, providing storage for water harvesting and distribution as well as storage spaces for the commercial and buisiness entities on site.

Ceaserstone Competition

Collier Jetty - Capetown Harbor

2021

Commercial Fisheries and Public Activation

15 000 m2

This project stems from an experiment run by our studiomaster in my 3rd year of studies.

Competing with other students in a commercial, industrial and urban centered propject, something we had not particularly focussed on before, opening up a new way of thinking and working with materials.

The main focus of this project was the facillitation of the commercial fisheries in the area.

Service space, storege maintenance etc, while also connecting the pier to the urban sprawl of the harbourscape provided an opportunity to tap into the unique atmosphere for public space, market space, as well as a fresh dining experiance.

This project was completed in 2 weeks as an experiment and is thus not detailed and presented to the fullest capability, but rather focussed on the exploration of a new field of architecture

Working Drawings

Abstract

This project is a small craft brewery in a residential area focussed on production of craft beer as well as the retail for both on- and off site consumption.

This was a technical exploration of designing for a process while keeping equipment loads, sizes and procession space required.

This project is a demonstration of technical abillity to produce relatively complete working type drawing at the end of our undergrad studies.

Since then this level of detail, understanding and presentation have greatly increased, but not fully executed through a project like this.

Walmer - Port Elizabeth

This project is one I am currently working on as my MArch(prof) Thesis to be submitted in November 2023.

This project will be completed at the end of the year and my portfolio updated accordingly.

Abstract

The intention of this treatise is to reinvigorate the public display of cultural identity of the traditional Xhosa community of Dimbaza, Eastern Cape, and how it can strengthen a sense of cultural belonging, while enhancing the built environment.

Dimbaza is a rural town that stands forgotten and run down after the “surplus” and “problematic” Bantu people were sent there under the apartheid regime. The failed industrialisation left the town dishevelled and is now mostly a survival farming region.

This led me to the reinterpretation of the western funeral home typology to an appropriate physical manifestation of cultural identity, while referencing the memory of Ntaba kaNdoda. The thought here is to create a living memorial to those lost during the various clashes in this area, while providing a space to provide those without a space to perform their traditional burial rites, a safe, comfortable and unique experience.

Based on this thinking the goal is to accentuate the existing funeral procession and supply the demand of some missing links in the process. The creation of this funeral parkscape aims to establish it as a center of placemaking and expression of Xhosa cultural identity. The architectural design will focus on the collective memory and identity of the people of Dimbaza, while taking cues from the social structure and contextual quality.