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Mokgwetsi Phala graduated from University of Cape Town amongst t his class in 2003, with a Bachelor of A tecture degree.
He is an Architectural professional r tered with the South African Council fo Architectural Profession (SACAP).
Form 2004 Mokgwetsi Phala prac as Architect and Urban Designer fo City of Tshwane Metropolitan Muni ity. He used this opportunity to adv his urban design skill and know by joining a small studio, heade Jakša Barbir, which concerned with formulation of urban design streetscape design guidelines the Design of ‘hard’ urban sp and streetscape elements. Notable projects included the s out Development Policy and d guidelines of noticeable pro such as the new Hatfield U Node, Solomon Mahlangu dom Square. and
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Saulsville traders Shelter Precinct.
In 2006, Mokgwetsi Phala was offered the position as Director of ARC Africa Architects. He took to the challenge and viewed it as an opportunity to expose himself to the business side of architectural Practise and to gain first hand exposure to contributing directly to the built environment. This was shortly interrupted with news of being award a Fulbright Scholarship to further his studies and obtain a Masters of Architecture Degree in Chicago, Illinois USA which commenced in July 2006. His Thesis at the College of Architecture , at the Illinois Institute of Technology, dealt with the collaboration of music and architecture titled, Hyde Park Fun P[a]lace: Social instrument for interactive improvisation. Mokgwetsi Phala Graduated top of his class and revived the “Kimm Master’s Thesis Fellowship”. After IIT, Mokgwetsi Phala worked with Chicago based firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM).
March 2009 marked his triumphant return to South Africa
Some highlights thus far in an architectural journey include: An award from the International Design Awards, being Awarded: Second Prize in Architecture Categories - Institutional for the entry titled, “ Architecture&Music FUN PALACE.” - January 2009 Architectural collaborations with the renowned deputy chairman of Ove Arup and Partners Cecil Balmond of Arup, and Erick Ellinsgen , in the Danzer model which formed part of the Solid Void.” Exhibition at Graham Foundation
Since his return Mokgwetsi lives in Pretoria and can be reached at mostereo@gmail. com or directly on 083 758 1999. His passion for music and architecture has translated to an active involved in the cultural and music scene. Form dj’ing in and around the city, to producing music and wondering the city streets and art exhibitions for inspiration. All this is what he calls the his urban playscape Mokgwetsi Phala hopes that he will get an opportunity to develop his skills further in architectural practice and share his experiences and knowledge through the medium of architecture .
biography Publication in Models, 306090 Books Volume 11 through academic collaboration with Erick Ellingsen,
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contact d
etails
Maritime
Museum
- 2006 V e rtical Urban P layscape Farm - 2008 - 2003 Music an Danzer In d A r c h itecture stilla Hellenic 2008 Museum tion with Cecil B almond - Oral His tory proje 20 ct - 2007 08 In ractiv Model On Nate ture - 2e Architecture 008 - 2007 G h ary Tech SOM Ch nologies ina Merc - Digital han SOM Co Project mpetition ts Tower - - 20 - 2008 0 9 T o w er - - 2 ARC Riv 009 er Walk Shoppin g Centre ARC Ha - - 2009 tfield Ga u tr ain Deve Sketch P lo pm ad Digital A - - 2009 - 2010 ent - - 2009 rt - 200 7 -2009
contents 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10111213141516
LONG-SPAN
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Maritime Museum, Waukegan Fall 2006 Assisting Professor : Michael Karlovitz Location : Waukegan, Il, USA Type : Museum Structural System : Long Span Steel Structure The project was to house a maritime museum that showcased the maritime history and heritage of Waukegan. As there was a need of large unobstructed open space , long span steel structural system was adopted. The programme consisted of large exhibition spaces, storage and workshops, administration offices, audio visual auditorium, cafĂŠ gift shop plaza. Inspired by the idea of viewing never ending horizon line seen on the lake Michigan from the site, the building developed into an adulating envelope/skin that morphed as it needed to accommodate the different programmatic condition of the space required. The two wings of the museum, one defining
exhibition space and the other defining meeting spaces, opening up to create an outdoor water plaza which would become a new contemporary urban square.
Public Gardens
The continuous roof is characterized by copper cladding which would in time oxides reflecting the tones of the adjacent lake and blending into its surrounding fabric.
public square
This buildings would be seen as a destination building and not just a museum / coffin for artefacts. The retail and entertainment components added to the required program would compliment this intention. Creating a live place to work, learn, play and relax.
Lake Michigan
docking area
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site plan
Main Entrance of the Wartime Museum is characterized by sweeping over-head waves of copper and a pristine travertine deck. Visitors are welcomed by the large maritime scale of the building. Apparatuses found on the deck define focal points which display exhibits at lower levels of he museum.
site plan
roof plan
lower level exhibition space
entrace level lobby \ gift shop \ resturant
upper level admin \ theatre \ restaurant
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Vertical Farm - 2007 Collaborator : Erick Ellingsen & Homero Rois Location : Chicago, Il, USA Type : Vertical Farm
The Vertical Farm typology that should be understood as a complex system rather than a single building. It is not merely a building where you grow tomatoes and shortened corn situated in the milieu of a urban setting; rather, the Vertical Farm is a functional part of the urban system itself. The Vertical Farm is not merely about food, but about the unseen circuits of energy and materials, labour and resources, capital and infrastructure, technology and politics upon which our cities depend; food is only single component of the Vertical Farm, the most visible part, the market and marketable part (imagine the politically marketable “greenness’ of a 1000ft luscious coniopic living transparent zone of fertility next to the black steel and glass skyscraper in your city);; food, the only part of farming which consum-
ers see while the rest of the industrial process remaining invisible, unquestioned, absolved by sheer ignorance. Essentially, the Vertical Farm allows us to address in one ambitious but realistic strategy, the precarious and tricky crisis of modernity between the individual and the city, which French philosopher Paul Ricour started so poignantly , it allows us to participate in the local and global flow at the same time, to embrace modernity and simultaneously return to our roots.” (Ricour, 1965) Those roots simply exist 1000 feet above the ground. (A ground which would be better served for forests than by feed-stock, as it turn out) Ellingsen & Dickson Despommier. With a basic brief given to us by Eric Elligsen, Hoemro and myself task was to visualize the ideal of a pyramid like vertical farm in Dubai. This has received numerous publications in blogs and was presented CTBUH Conference in 2008.
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“....The Vertical Farm .....should be understood as a complex system rather than a single building....�
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Urban Playscape, Cape Town, SA, Thesis Project - 2003 Assisting Professors : Iain Lou, Martin Kruger Location : Cape Town International Convention Centre, SA Type : Civic
Mapping the night time economy of Cape Town, produced a programme and project that would compliment the rich nature of Cape Town’s night life. Located adjacent to the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the building is envisaged to add an active 24hr entertainment hub that would host everything from concerts to boxing matches. Unlike the Convention Centre the spaces provided were more specific – the night club, recording studios, concert hall, imax theatre, cocktail lounge and boutique office space.
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Representation of “Musical Section� defined by event moments rather then program.
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Hyde Park Fun P(a)lace Assisting Professor : Sussan Conger- Austin Location : Midway Pleasance - Hyde Park, Chicago , Illinois Type : Interactive Architecture – Cultural Structural System - Concrete Shell structure
Absorbed by a fascination of two distinct and complex art forms, namely Music and Architecture, one begins to wonder what the resultant aesthetic of their intersections, collaborations, translations and representation would be. Looking through the lens of music, this project explores various sonic filtration techniques and interactive technologies to propose a tectonic translation, of music and sonic material, to an appropriately contextualized architectural expression. The program is comprised of a hybrid of education, entertainment, and recreation functions offering multi purpose spaces that adapt both
spatially and acoustically. thus creating a building that becomes public and could be seen a social instrument constantly changing to the specific needs of the inhabitants. Characterized by sweeping and looping curves, the building draws its structural references from Debussy’s “Clair Delune” and its aesthetic nature and technonic from the texture of John Coltrain’s “Gaint Steps” Architecture is Music and Mu Architecture
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e usic is
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Architectural analysis and extractions of Music
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dation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts
Danzer Collaboration: Cecil Balmond (Arup) & Erick Ellingsen Location: Solid Void at the Graham Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Type: Instillation Construction System: CNC Fabrication
This project was a winter studio (January 2207) initiated by Eric Ellingsen to collaborate with international engineering powerhouse Arup Partners’ s Cecil Balmond.
…..Danzer, A massive, seven-foot-high wood-veneered construction, an irregular pyramid “made of four basic tetrahedral shapes.” The name is a reference to a method of tiling, a technique for covering surfaces with repeated elements, developed by the great mathematician Ludwig Danzer. As the scale of the pyramid declines, “each shape is packed by a replica of itself, as well as the other three.” The pattern repeats. In the center, Danzer splits open like a cracked egg, and “down to the infinitesimal the same patterns repeat to mark out a fractal.” The lines of the pyramid extend out invisibly, only to again become visible in the windows of the room. “Form, I believe,” says Balmond, “is something deeper than what we see. It’s a more innate, hidden imperative.” The mirrored facets of Danzer’s revealed interior, a “canyon of crystals”, projects ghost images of complex geometric shapes onto the walls…...- by Lynn Becker
FABRICATIO It called for the design and construction of a large scale model called the Danzer. Through collaborations the numerous construction of prototypes the final model was completed in September of that year. The exhibition took place in Chicago landmark building Madlener House, which houses the Graham Foun-
http://www.lynnbecker.com/repeat/balmonds/cecil_balmond_and_the_bonfire_of_the_vanities.htm
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Hellenic Museum + Cultural Centre – Oral History project Collaboration: sandbox architects - www.sndbx.com Location: Chicago, Illinois Type: interactive physical environment Construction System: CNC Fabrication and digital Instillation
vate a collective queue that can be navigated and views from either end. Through a series of sensors that are activated as one interactions with the environment, the system makes the desired videos available to the visitor. More info available at www.sndbx.com Personal involvement in this project was concerned with assisting in the cnc fabrication, construction and instillation of the exhibition.
INTERACTIV This project was designed by sandbox. It is and interactive physical environment, which provides visitors with access to the Museum’s video based oral history collection. The environment is created through a combination of hand cut and cnc milled plywood layers intended to draw reference to the stratification of history. Tow unique interfaces allow both the casual museum visitor and the academic researcher an enriching experience. From the front of the structure, visitors interact with a curated collection of histories, tokenised through sliding picture frames which acti-
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Typical connection:
This is the typical connection spacers that sandwich front modules and back panels.
Modular system:
The project was configured into a modular system were each module was made up of seven different panels. These panels would then get connected with repeating seven panels making a total of fourteen panels for a single module. In total there were six modules that made the undulating exposed surface.
HELLENIC MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER- ORAL HISTORY PROJECT CONSTRUCTION
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Interactive Architecture – SIMULTANEOUS OCCUPATION - interactive surface
This project serves the purpose of an interface between physical and digital space.
Assisting Professor : Thomas Kerns Collaboration : sandbox architects NYC Location : Crown Hall, Chicago Illinois Type : Interactive Architecture
Using Half Life 2 & the Steam Engine, a video game design interface, interaction between the physical world and the digital word were explored.
INTERACTIV A digital space was developed were users experienced different conditions which would be triggered by certain actions. Similarly, a physical space was constructed. The space was defined by a Plexiglas mesh that was controlled by sensors and motors to reflect certain changes when interacted with. The two worlds where connect such that an action in the digital environment would have a reaction in the physical environment and visa versa.
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nds(50); ck, LOW);
DIGITAL CONDITIONS: CODING:
With the use of an Arduino Microcontroller and Arduino Software, motors, lights,and the surface itself is controlled. Coding was one of the most important part of the project, since mostly everything was being controlled by the microcontroller.
int data = 9; int strob = 8; int clock = 10; int oe = 11; int count = 0; int dato = 0;
}
void setup() { beginSerial(9600); pinMode(data, OUTPUT); pinMode(clock, OUTPUT); pinMode(strob, OUTPUT); pinMode(oe, OUTPUT); }
delayMicroseconds(50); digitalWrite(clock, LOW);
void loop() { dato = 5; for (count = 0; count < 8; count++) { digitalWrite(data, dato & 01); //serialWrite((dato & 01) + 48); dato>>=1; if (count == 7){ digitalWrite(oe, LOW); digitalWrite(strob, HIGH);
}
} PulseClock(); digitalWrite(oe, HIGH);
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:
Sensors, lights, users and the changes in the digital conditions affects and manipulates the surfaces. Changing the physical space.
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CAMERA:
PROJECTOR:
Displays activity from digital space.
recorded all activity.
LIGHTS:
activated when sensors detected movement around surface.
ULTRASONIC SENSOR:
Detect movement around surface.
DC MOTORS:
Motors connect to cables that pull the surface.
a, dato & 01); ato & 01) + 48);
{
, HIGH);
Sensors, lights, users and the changes in the digital condi affects and manipulates the surfaces. Changing the phys space.
void PulseClock(void) { digitalWrite(clock, LOW); delayMicroseconds(20); digitalWrite(clock, HIGH);
ount < 8;
LOW); ob, HIGH);
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:
Users experince a variation of conditions. As they interact with these conditions, then it affects the movement of the surface.
PC:
Processes the information from arduino, and half life 2/ Steam Engine.
CAMERA:
PROJECTOR:
Displays activity from digital space.
PC:
Processes the information from arduino, and half life 2/ Steam Engine.
recorded all activity.
LIGHTS:
activated when sensors detected movement around surface.
Plexiglas surface
Plexiglas surface suspended above a stairwell, creating and always changing spatial condition. As people walk away the space retracts and as people come close to use the stairs the surface inflates to allow movement through it. The system recognizes high volumes of people and reacts accordingly. 7
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Contemporary Theory and literature Elective On Nature - 2008 Assisting Professor : Erick Ellingsen SELF ORGANIZATION PATTERN & NATURE: A STRATEGY AND TECHNIQUE TO DESIGN The patterns, processes, poetry and ecologies which connect Self organization refers to the pattern formation process by which natural systems acquire their structure and order through an intern process. Systems that are not considered as being categorized as ‘self organized’ are those that have or-
der imposed upon them from an external force. These forces can be seen as preconceived orders that’s could manifest themselves through external processes. In his writings on self Organization, Bonabeau gives examples of these external forces as being blueprints, recipes, leaders, or pre-existing patterns in the environment. Bonabeau gives us a more concise definition of self organization of which I will be using to frame the works to be examined: In the context of pattern formation in biological systems,… “Self- organization is a process in which pattern at the global level of a system emerg-
es solely from numerous interactions among the lower-level components of the system. Moreover the rules specify interactions among the system’s components are executed using only local information without inference to global pattern.” (Bonabeau, p. 8)
This project is a rule based system project. The system takes its core inspiration from the shape and formation of the intricately patterned latticework of diatom frustules and radiolarian. With their glassy skeletons of often perfect geometric form and symmetry, radiolarians are among the most beautiful of all protists. Radiolaria can range anywhere from 30 microns to 2 mm in diameter. Their skeletons tend to have arm-like extensions that resemble spikes, which are used both to increase surface area for buoyancy and to capture prey. (http://www.ucmp. berkeley.edu/protista/radiolaria/rads.html) The proposed system is generated from a module created by folding, interlocking and packing of intricately created triangulated components, to form a spike like module. The idea was that by creating small components that would allow for interlocking to happen, the system would be able to grow based on the rule set applied.
standing that interactions among the systems components need not be complex yet the generative patterns could be fascinating such as those of the labyrinthine of termite mounds of the movements of fish in a school, a simple rule set was set out. â&#x20AC;&#x153; We should make things as simple as possible, but not simpler.â&#x20AC;? Albert Einstein \To allow for a more un-determined self organized form, that would generate more interesting patters, the rule set was defined as such:
The emergence of pattern might be considered as magical. Emergent properties that might suggest that the system posses some mysterious or magical properties should however be dismissed as this property can be understood on closer examination of the system. An Example that is given is that of Bernard convection cells in which an occurrence of bifurcation is experienced by the system when more energy is added to it causing it to change is pattern. i.e a sudden transition from one state to another.
1. Interlock three components together to form one module. 2. Interlock modules to form a pyramid type form side by side. 3. After every two adjacent pyramid formations, the next module should fold on itself thus creating a two sided pyramid type form.
Based on an under-
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Hexagonal pattern produced Hexagonal pattern produced by by light refracting through a small light refracting through a small sample of water (about sample of water (about 1.51.5 cmcm in in diameter) under influence diameter) under thethe influence of of vibration. vibration.
Echinocactus grusonii Echinocactus grusonii
Shells SeaSea Shells
This pine cone This pine cone hashas 13 13 spirals to the right spirals to the right andand 8 to8 to thethe left.left.
Mud cracks Mud cracks
sculptured reticulations pollen grains Slime Slime molds sculptured reticulations on on pollen grains molds
inspiration
components
module
es
model
self organasation through rule sets create and organic , nature inspire model
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LOOPED | Knotted Assisting Professor : Julie Flour Location : Chicago Il, USA Type : Digital Fabrication Using Digital Project, (similar to CATIA) a software developed by Ghary Technologies, the class objective was to develop a system based model that could then be explored and fabricated using the software. Inspired by electronic music, the idea of looped rhythms was isolated and a set of rules developed in order to explore a self organized condition that would result. A physical model was made to test the idea, after which Digital Project was used to further explore the idea. Using functions, points and lines that where then given associations and parameters, we were able to control a single loop, that could be added to othe r
loops and eventually create a system of loops that is derived from data and can be controlled. So what might look like chaos, is actually stable . With digital Project, the whole system could be changed in size and numbers by just altering a few parameters. The digital models could then be flattened and fabricated using a Laser cutter / CNC machine and a physical model be built.
DIGITAL
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China Merchants Tower - 2008 - 2009 Architects : Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM) Design Partner: Brian Lee Studio Head : Michael Karlovitz Location : Shenzhen , China Type : Mixed Use Lead by Design Partner Brian Lee, the project brief called fo the design of mixed use , 200m Tower and 3 Residential Towers . Assisting as part of group of 4, with various tasks to deliver a high quality building project and presentation . Through collaborations of various other disciplines the final project was well received by the client. My contribution to this project was investigations using Revit on the Tower formation, model building of various tests, design input into the residential towers, final presentations drawings and graphics.
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China Merchants Tower - 2008 - 2009 Architects :Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM) Design Partner: Noel Michaels Location : China Type : Mixed Use -Competition My evolvement in this project came near the end of the project and included design of super basements, and final presentation and putting together the final submission.
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River Walk Shopping Centre - 2006 - current Architects :ARC Africa Architects Design Partner: Anton de Johng Design Architect : Mo Phala Location : Potchefstroom, SA Type : Retail The brief called for the refurbishment of the existing Mall. With a small budget, we decided to give the Mall a â&#x20AC;&#x153;face liftâ&#x20AC;? attempting to bring its aesthetics to contemporary standards that are associated with retail.
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River Walk Shopping Centre - 2006 - current Architects :ARC Architects Design Partner: Anton de Johng Design Architect : Mo Phala Location : Hatfeild Tshwane, SA Type : Urban Development The brief called for an investigation into an urban development situated in a prime location in the City of Tshwane. From concept design, feasibility ayalisis, the project will certainly make a great contribution of the existing Hatfield Node.
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Digital Art Using various data software the following mappings form part of what I see as my art work: 1) In the first mapping music analysis software is used to draw data from Debussyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s , Clair de Lune, points were mapped using AutoDesk Revit. Harmonic connections of the peace where then used to identify connection between the points and a network of sonic line was evident. After a process of illumination and variation this was then extended in an intuitive manner
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to create the final work. 2) The second piece looked at gathering all the top music album images of the past century and making a representation that when view at a certain scale would reflect a certain massage.
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mo_ phala mostereo@gm 083 758 1999
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mail.com 16