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Thresholds and Transitions in a Public-Private Compound BAS(HONS) Semester 1 2020
Living Inside the Wall
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Gender and Place Perfomed BAS(HONS) Semester 2 2020
Incomplete Completeness
04
Living In Transition Master of Architecture 2021
Radical Other
My ideas as an architect keep evolving with almost every project. I can say, however, that my manifesto which is creating architecture that positively impacts people’s lives and their environment, encompasses a set of constantly changing ideas. Architecture is a language and a tool that has the ability to transform people’s lives and their surroundings. I hope my contribution as an architect positively impacts the lives of the people around me. I am passionate about design studies and design itself. I love reading anything about the history of architecture and the civilizations around it. I am interested in the intriguing relationship between architecture and politics. I am always listening to an interesting podcast and sometimes I giggle at incredibly lame jokes. I will always surprise you!
Postgraduate Portfolio (Year 2020- Year 2021)
Ruvimbo Nyamupanedengu
Master of Arch(Professional) University of the Witwatersrand 2021
BAS(HONS) University of the Witwatersrand 2020
B.ARCH
University of Johannesburg 2018
Radical Other Living In Transition
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He is detached and highly alert at the same time. He is lucid but lost to everyone else around him. He maintains we are what he perceives. He insists he is not what we say he is. While the rest of us call him a madman, he has embraced both power and security. He has found liberty in his solitude and safety from our misconceptions. After all when we accept him, we deny his freedom.
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Is he mad or are we mistaken? What triggered his mental dissolution?
Radical Other: Living in Transition
Abstract A mental illness unravels only within a social space that in turn explains its form regardless of whether that mental illness was initially related to neurological difficulties. The form adopted by a mental illness is dictated by the structure of relations in which an individual is capable or unable to participate and therefore by external institutional and social forces. The treatment of individuals whose behavior deviates from what society perceives as ideal is not about their ‘misconduct’ but about conserving our society from falling below the minimum level of decency. Contemporary society struggles to handle social disorders in an organic way so it creates spaces where deviation can be managed such as prisons, psychiatric hospitals and care homes- heterotopias of deviation. Deviants, the structures they inhabit and the landscapes in which these structures exists are treated as the other- an isolated part of society. ‘Munhu munhu nekuda kwevanhu’ means a person is a person through other people. We are not fully human until others make us human. The primary research focuses on how society deals with individuals who are mentally ill. It looks at the impact of social and cultural factors on the development of mental illnesses. 7
“I could not have stayed on in that ‘House of Hunger’ where every morsel of sanity was snatched from you the way some kinds of bird snatch food from the mouths of babes.” (Dambudzo Marechera in Marechera, 1978: 1) 8
Radical Other: Living in Transition
Today, the existence of individual Zimbabweans is characterized by the experience of varied nervous conditions. Zimbabwe has become a place of nervous conditions. The impact of approximately two decades of socioeconomic and political instability has had an overwhelming mental, emotional and physical toll on the majority of Zimbabweans who can no longer cope with the hardships of the meltdown. The project seeks to understand the definition and the experience of nervous conditions through a multiplicity of spatial, social, cultural, political and historical constructs. This is done in order to comprehend the development of mental disorders, the spatial response to mental disorders and the influence of society through different layers. Ultimately the intervention attempts to explore how the space between community and the Radical Other can be reconstructed from a tensional line into a transformative space that facilitates the integration of two groups in society that are traditionally perceived as disjointed. The project aims to create a structure and landscape that offers alternative treatment for mental illnesses of different intensities which result from cultural, political, historical and everyday nervous conditions while fostering constructive interactions between patients and the community. 9
Concept Section: Solid
Concept Section: Solid minus Voids
Concept Section: Solid plus ‘transitioned voids’
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Concept: Living in Transition Design Principles: • Transition • Conveying the idea of freedom in a place that requires a certain level of security • Couryards as a means of access, creating ‘packed housing’ , facilitating community interactions and creating different thresholds of privacy • Spatial and Vissual Continuity • Designing spaces for Multifunctional Use
Radical Other: Living in Transition
Concept: Living in Transition
Void and Solid in an attempt to evoke the illusion of freedom and the perception of constant transition.
The process of healing and reconstructing the space between Radical Other and the community from a boundary to a transformative space that encourages their integration is not a linear process. It is therefore important to understand that while healing is naturally a progression process where the patient advances from one stage to another, there is always the possibility of backsliding. This is especially true in an environment riddled with nervous conditions. One of the aims of the intervention is to explore how a space can ease nervous conditions. However while the intervention might accomplish this goal, it is important to account for external factors than might possibly disrupt the progression of healing and integration. This is why the processes of Care, Development and Integration are represented as circular with the possibility of advancement or repetition at some stages. This circular nature, the possibility of growth and repetition introduces the idea of constant change throughout the healing process hence the Radical Other are living in transition. In response to the brief, the programme is divided into 3 phases: CareHealing, Development-Healing and Integration-Healing. The aspect of healing is present in all phases as it encompasses the whole intervention. 11
Design Development 01: Courtyard compounds forming a settlement fabric (illustrations not to scale). 12
Radical Other: Living in Transition
Design Development 02: Courtyard compounds forming a settlement fabric (illustrations not to scale). 13
Design Development 04: Transition through Gardens, Courtyards and Towers. 14
Radical Other: Living in Transition
Design Development 05: Detailed Transition through Gardens, Courtyards and Towers. 15
Spatial and visual continuity. Shared Kitchen as a ‘situational’ courtyard.
4 2 5
4 3
1
5 2 1
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Housing Unit: 1. Shared Bedroom 2. Shared Bathroom 3. Kitchen, Dining and Sitting Room 4. Single Bedrooms 5. Shared Courtyard space
Radical Other: Living in Transition
Housing Unit Principles: Spatial Continuity Visual Continuity ‘Situational Courtyards’ Courtyard Settings 17
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8 3 2
1 7
4
9
Site Plan
1. Park 2. Day-Care Clinic Tower 3. In-Patients Clinic Tower 4. Library Tower 5. Studio and Exhibition Tower 6. Deck 7. ‘Intensive’ Care Section 8. Orchard 9. Garden 18
5
6
Radical Other: Living in Transition
2
1
4
3
5
Level 01
1. Gardens 2. ‘Intensive’ Care Accomodation 3. Deck 4. Exhibition Tower Security and Bathrooms 5. Park 19
1
Level 03
20 20
Level 04
1. Library Entrance
Radical Other: Living in Transition
2
3
1
Level 05
1. Library First Floor 2. In-Patients Clinic Ground Entrance
Level 06
3. In-Patients Clinic Reception and Bathrooms 21
2
1 3
Level 07 1. Day Care Clinic Entrance 22
Level 09
2. Day Care Clinic Group Session Offices 3. Park
Radical Other: Living in Transition
Site Model 23
Library Tower Axo: Principles:
Vertical and Horizontal Spatial Continuity Visual Continuity 24
Exhibi Studio Princi
Vertica Visual
ition and o Tower Exo: iples:
al and Horizontal Spatial Continuity Continuity
Radical Other: Living in Transition
Clinic Tower: Principles:
Vertical and Horizontal Spatial Continuity Visual Continuity Multi-Funtional Spaces 25
Day Care Clinic Library
In-Patients Clinic
Exhibition and Studios
North East Elevation
Day Care Clinic In-Patients Clinic
North West Elevation 26
Radical Other: Living in Transition
Day Care Clinic In-Patients Clinic Library
Exhibition and Studios
Deck
South East Elevation
Day Care Clinic In-Patients Clinic Library Exhibition and Studios
Deck
South West Elevation 27
Day Care Clinic Library Exhibition and Studios
Deck
Section AA
In-Patients Clinic
Section BB 28
Radical Other: Living in Transition
Day Care Clinic
B
A
Section CC
C
D
C
D
B
Day Care Clinic In-Patients Clinic
Section DD 29
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Radical Other: Living in Transition
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Radical Other: Living in Transition
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Incomplete Completeness Place and Gender Performed
Design Principles Torre’s theories are highly rooted in feminism but the definite link between feminist theory and queer theory allow her to unintentionally explore how place and gender can be performed while applying feminist approaches in architecture. Gender is a phenomenon that is produced and reproduced all the time therefor it is performative ‘a performance that creates the illusion of sex’ (Butler 2011). This idea speaks to fluid and flexible buildings that are open to endless possibilities. It speaks to achieving the architectural integrity of a design while allowing for the design to grow with changing social patterns. The house of meanings was analysed as a precedent in oder to understand Torre’s theories 36
in practice. The first principle in designing the house of meanings is space as matrix. This is a critique of the traditional partitioning of space into rooms which reinforce an uncompromising hierarchy of importance amongst individuals in a shared household. The idea of space as matrix aims to deconstruct traditional perceptions of the relationship between personal, shared and public through redesigning for interaction between opposing spatial conditions. Space as matrix also criticizes open plan design as it lacks differentiation and spatial hierarchy. Therefor to mediate between social issues caused by the traditional division of space and the lack of differentiation in in open plan design, space as matrix seeks to achieve opposite objectives in the same design proposal by attaining both spatial
continuity and spatial hierarchy. (Torre 1959:51). The second principle is the design of multi-functional spaces. Torre states that the separation of functions and specific use of spaces upholds a form of rigid segregation between public, shared and private spaces (Torre 1959:52). The last principle is an attempt at accommodating the constantly changing and temporary patterns of dwelling in a completed architectural project. It is the consolidation of the formal integrity and fullness of a design with the continually changing conditions of living (Torre 1959:52). This principles are applied in designing a perfomance Arts Building at the University of Witwatersrand’s Braamfontein Campus which speaks to issues of Gender and Feminism.
Design Development: Site Informants Amic Deck
A
Pedestrian Bridge
Entrance to basement parking and foyer
E1 C
B
M1
Design Development 01
Design Development 02
E3
Design Approach and Site Informants Plan
Design Development 03
Design Strategy
Palaso Science Centre
Bernard Price PG Club
e Yal
Design Approach and Site Informants
Yale Road
E2
d
Roa
Amic Deck
Design Development 04
Origins Center
Security Point to be demolished Chamber of Mines
Design Development 05
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Design Development: Massing Exploration Proposed Arrangement 01
Proposed Arrangement 02
Proposed Arrangement 03
Advantages • By splitting the building at the center more natural light can come into the Interior spaces Disadvantages • Due to the separation of building components (fragmentation) it is difficult to have a service core.
Advantages • Central core that feeds in and out of both wings of the building. • Smaller atrium spaces that are more favorable in reference to the human scale. • Efficient circulation core central to the atrium
Amic Deck Pedestrian Bridge To Basement M1 From Yale Road
Advantages • Central core can be established Disadvantages • Bulky mass presents challenges in terms of getting natural lighting to the center of the building. • Geometry is highly distorted. Entrance/Foyer/Stores
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Parking/Mechanical
Office Block
Performance/Exhibition Spaces
Classrooms/Auditoriums/Study
Library Block
Design Development: Circulation Explorarion Proposed Arrangement 03
Proposed Arrangement 02
WC/ Wet Services Horizontal Circulation Passages
Vertical Circulation Core
Atrium
Ramp
This arrangement utilizes a central ramp in the atrium in addition to the two main vertical circulation cores. Service core are divided into two and are on each wing of the building in addition to the one allocated in the performance space.
Basement Entrance
Atrium
This spatial arrangement allows for a main central core in the building which is central to both wings of the building. Core functions are services and circulation. Ramps are allocated on the interior façade of each wing rather than being central to the atrium. This leaves more free space in the atrium. More efficient circulation arrangement. 39
Incomplete Completeness
Amic Deck
Pedestrian Bridge
Exhibition
M1 Library
Offices
Yale Road
Site Plan 40
Place and Gender Performed: Plans
Basement Floor Plan
Performance Hall Stage Floor Plan
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Incomplete Completeness
Performance Hall
Courtyard
Auditorium A Auditorium B
Offices
Security Storage
Reception and Lobby Classrooms Series
Classrooms Series
Ground Floor Plan 42
Place and Gender Performed: Plans
Ground Floor Plan Detail
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Incomplete Completeness
First Floor Plan
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Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Fourth Floor Plan
Section AA
Place and Gender Performed: Plans
North Elevation North East Perspective
3d View
East Elevation
South Elevation
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Incomplete Completeness
Skin Section 46
Place and Gender Performed: Plans Fourth Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Spatial Continuity - Library Second Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
Spatial Continuity and Multi-Functional Spaces
Ground Floor Plan
Performance Hall and Amic Deck
Basement
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Incomplete Completeness
3D: North East
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Place and Gender Performed: Plans
3D: North West
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Living Inside the Wall Thresholds and Transitions in a Public-Private Compound
Blurred Boundary: No distinct edges or assumed shape.
Flexible Boundary
Movable boundary or disappearing boundary.
No Boundary.
Transparent Boundary: Allow for visual access.
Demolished Boundary.
Fluid Boundary: Distinct shape but still flexible.
The boundary as a habitable space.
Interactive Boundary.
Abstract Roy (2015:312) maintains that informality, while a system of deregulation, can be thought of as a mode of regulation. The existence of Spaza shops and other forms on non-formal trading around the compound indicate ‘frailty’ in the framework of the law. What if the rules around non-formal Trading and the illegality of boundary wall extensions are revised to accommodate informal traders? How then can the boundary wall reflect a change in Informal Trading By-Laws? With the removal of ‘illegality’, the boundary wall could become transparent, flexible, fluid, could disappear or could become in itself a habitable space that supports the trader. As a tool that supports the non-formal trader, the wall allows them to trade freely without fear of the law while providing shelter. The Spaza Shop wall is the anchor of activities happening in the compound
Economies of the Edge Religious Buildings
Food/Drink
Retail
Lodging
Education/Daycare
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The design solution is for a specific site but can be transformed into an urban solution that grows organically with difference preferences of the non-formal trader rather than being enforced.
LIVING INSIDE THE WALL URBAN:
Economy of the Edge-An Urban Accessory Design Concept The intervention shows the design response at different scales which are Urban, Building and Detail. The concept informing the design of this project is divided into the following categories: 1. The Private Public Compound 2. Vertical Densification 3. Living inside the wall 4. Landlords and Tenants 5. The wall as a tool
An Urban Tool: The design of the PublicPrivate House transforms the plot from being a one house plot to a continuous wall of row housing.
The Public-Private Compound: Programme While designing the wall as a spatial entity is an important part of the whole project, it is only a fraction of it. If the wall is to become a tool that supports the trader then it does not only allow the non-formal trader to generate income but also shelters him. This where I zoomed out to the Public-Private compound. The public-private compound is essentially a shop house. It is a compound that can be disintegrated into smaller parts and fitted into different sites in the Yeoville Context. It can be used as an urban accessory. The parts being the different trades forms 53
Concept Sketch: Ground Floor Plan
Concept Sketch: First Floor Plan
rent out possibility
Void Apartment A Apartment B Concept Sketch: Section
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Concept Sketches: Void and Solid
LIVING INSIDE THE WALL:
An Urban Accessory of informal trade and residential units for the traders. Vertical Densification The design of the bungalow is flexible and easily adaptable. This can be seen in the fact that while it was originally designed for a single ‘ideal’ family, it now accommodates more than one family in some instances. Sometimes it is also partnered with extensions to the boundary wall around the yard creating a compound with different thresholds, transitions and levels of privacy. These extensions and the adaptability of the bungalow are also responding to the densification of Yeoville. Most of the densification taking place is horizontal. Vertical
extensions are observed in few compounds. This is because once the owner decides to extend vertically they need to involve an engineer or other professionals which then becomes more expensive. The design response will look at the possibility of densifying vertically. Living inside the wall The concept of living inside the wall speaks to the wall itself being spatial as discussed before but also to the idea of ‘narrowness’. Living in narrow spaces. From this Idea the proposal introduces the design of a narrow dwelling space that when standing on its own might possibly look incomplete. It can then be duplicated to create a ‘complete’ compound that can
always be extended or it can be a parasite that can be fitted into different sites. Its narrowness allows it to fit into smaller spaces or lost spaces but still accommodating quite a number of people in good living conditions. Landlords and Tenants As mentioned before, another important form of trade that takes place in Yeoville is the one between landlords and tenants. The landlord or owner is also an important part of this design. The compound in the design proposal isn’t a yard with different components that are owned by a single person or family. It is rather a very basic structure with floors and columns that extends itself vertically. This structure can then be divided into 55
narrow ‘slices’ that can be bought and owned by different individuals. These ‘slices’ also designed in way to create live and rent out possibilities for the owner. The wall as a tool This concept refers to creating an interactive wall that participates in trade. An Urban Accessory The design of the Public-Private compound should allow it to be used as a practical design solution on different sites for non-formal traders. It can be applied as a whole or in parts.
Axonometric Floor Plans 56
LIVING INSIDE THE WALL BUILDING:
Public-Private Compound
Courtyard Setting
3D North West Elevation 57
In the restaurant the wall is lowered to 700mm and 1100mm. On both levels the wall acts as both an informal seating and table platform. By lowering the wall the customer can see their food being prepared. This idea comes from the non-formal traders cooking on sidewalks. A screen can then be introduced to close up the store if there is need. In this model part of the wall disappears and part of it is transformed.
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The wall participates in the trade shelving is introduced into the do This space can be used by the sa or be rented or to a street vend
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Amai is a Zimbabwean immigrant that rents out the restaurant and owns the business. She also rents out a room in the landlord’s house in the compound.
The couple owns the saloon and a house in the compound. They rent out the saloon to different hairdressers who all contribute to pay rent.
A serving window allows the trader to interact with the customer but the customer can still access the machinery while they are still outside
Through introducing a void in the solid wall a space is created for the saloon customer to sit while they are essentially still outside the saloon.
Bongani rents out a house in the compound with his family. He owns the Spaza shop business but rents the trading space.
Use of the P Door- The wa disappears.
4 5
Threshold Space
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Mukoma rents out the trading space. He doesn’t stay in Yeoville but commutes every day to manage his business.
Trading Façade
e. Storage ouble size wall. aloon trader dor.
LIVING INSIDE THE WALL DETAIL:
Storage for the open restaurant next door. Storage outside to be used by non-formal traders working on the street.
Holes, Landlords and Tenants The wall is a series of holes- Doors, windows and voids that create connections between two spaces. The spatial boundary wall becomes a transitional space rather than a tensional line.
3
Sekuru is a street barber and hairdresser who rents out the shelving and storage space outside the saloon.
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Climbing Wall-Interactive Boundary.
d 5
6
Pocket all
The wall interacts with the trader and their customers. In this case the wall is used as a vertical playground for the nursery school. A small section of the pavement can also be used for the same purpose.
4
Ambuya owns a house in the compound and the trading space where she runs a small daycare business.
2 3 1
Transitional Space- Mediating privacy
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LIVING INSIDE THE WALL DETAIL:
Holes, Landlords and Tenants The wall is a series of holes- Doors, windows and voids that create connections between two spaces. The spatial boundary wall becomes a transitional space rather than a tensional line.
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