Value assessment of Westfort
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June 28th 2016
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by Wouter Langeveld
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Wouter Langeveld
11/05/2016
Introduction Adjustments in practice
Appelbaum used a diagram to presentation trace the development specific value the life This book is part of my graduation at the facultyofofaArchitecture andduring Build Environment at the TU Delft. The graduation project started in september 2015, with a cycle of an object. Such a flow chart should become part of the assessment method as visit to Westfort, 10 km away from Pretoria in South Africa. well, it start with an analysis theme, returns as a theme during the value assessment and can play its role during thethe concept process. chart will prevent The content developped over year informing combination with Athe research, analysesloss and of the design for the project. My project was part of the Heritage & Architecture studio, use knowledge in the process; it will give a proper overview of the unknowns as well. The fore a methodology of a value bassed design proces. During my research I focus on a methodology for the value assessment of Westfort, part of the result was a table as a system to mentioned setthemes of generic analysis is a stage. start (see table 2). of Table 7 shows a the idea of the table. guide the specific adress during themes the analyses The structure the book follows possible format to support the method. Table 7 – example of theme chart to become part of the method Analysis Theme
Type of value
Infrastructure Use value Context Rarity, associative Culture Cultural value, art value Economy Newness value, monetary value, use value Style Aesthetic value Politics Sentimental value, commemorative value History Historical value Use Use value Role Historical value, social value Spirit of the Historical value time (Zeitgeist) Typology Associative value
Assessment result
Role in dilemma
Relation Justification to the concept
This book is only value assessment book, the design is presented in two models, drawing and impressions. The reach is a seperate Shortcomings file. 2
This method is a purely theoretical and lacks real fieldwork. The proposal of Randall Mason and the HUL Charter, to involve the stakeholders, was impossible. A custodian has a role in the information grid of Appelbaum as well (see table 3). The custodian of Westfort is unclear; multiple parties claim the ownership of Westfort with various
Typology
Spirit of the time Age
5
Nature/landscape
Style 11
Relation with Pretoria
23
29
Materialisation
19
Use
39
3
4
Typology
5
Typology - International
5 9
4
8
3 2
7 6
1. Robben Island, South Africa 2. Suriname, 3 leprosaria, Protestant / Rooms Catholic / State 3. Chacachacare,Trinidad 4. Palo, Seco (150 patients) 5. Carville, LA, USA (4.500 patients) 6. Derby, Australia 7. Darwin, Australia 6
1
Still open: 8. St. Lukes, India 9. Anandwan, India
HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE measures. This compulsory segregation was 1.voluntary Robben Island, South Africa rarely implemented in other countries. At this time Robben Island was the only leprosarium in the colony and it was swamped in 1892 by the unexpectedly large number of people with leprosy, black and white, who were classified under the Act. When other leprosaria were built in that decade, Robben Island continued to house the majority of the patients (close to a thousand at any one time). It was specifically used to detain escapees or patients who protested in other ways against their incarceration in mainland hospitals.
All leprosarium wards were demolished in the 1930s because of a fear that the disease would spread and contaminate people moving into the buildings
However, as treatment improved over time, a growing number of people with leprosy were diagnosed as noninfectious and were allowed to leave the Island. The leprosaria were closed in 1931 due to rising costs and Typology decreasing caseloads, thus ending Robben Island’s many years as a place of exclusion for those who were sick and marginalised by South African society because of their disease.
Reformed Church and Roman Catholic Church. In addition, pastors representing the Moravian and other church denominations visited the Island regularly to conduct services and to provide pastoral care. A number of churches were constructed at different times on the Island, including those built for specific groups, such as women with leprosy. Most of the churches were constructed in the leprosaria and, with the exception of the Church of the Good Shepherd, were demolished in the early 1930s, along with the wards, houses and other structures of the leprosaria. The construction of separate churches for Dutch Reformed, Catholic and Anglican congregations suggests a degree of interdenominational rivalry at the time. That separate churches were built for men and for women in their respective settlements, illustrates the strict segregation of male and female leprosy patients.15 The role of the Christian church in the history of RobbenOn the island of Chacachacare which borders Island, however, is an ambivalent one. On one hand, thethe Boca Grande of the north-west coast of church was an important source of spiritual comfort toTrinidad those who were forcibly moved to the Island and to their custodians. On the other hand, the church was seen to be an extension and a partner of the colonial administration, as it was perceived to do little to challenge the authorities or champion the rights of patients.16 There are some chaplains who are said to have actually sought biblical 3. Chacachacare,Trinidad justification for the continued isolation of those suffering - Island from disease, for instance, the church did not speak out against the segregation of people with leprosy from society. In one case, individuals with leprosy refused to listen to their ministers sermonising about ‘lepers’ in the bible.
However to simply dismiss the importance Rarity, of theassociative church value in providing spiritual strength to leprosy patients is as dangerous as to completely embrace it without critical Is one of a relatively few, example of its type? evaluation. Thus despite the church at times collaborating with the state, it was an important institution that played a major role in the lives of the people of the Island in different International The layout, organisation program make a leproRare, last former multiracial leprosarium in SA, same type of institutions periods ofand time. The Role of the Church sarium a specific program. Own identity, segregated, spread over the world, either During the period of the General Infirmary when hundreds of people with leprosy were isolated on Robben Island, the independent village. Christian church was very active and became an important MILITARY DEFENCE (1939-1945)17 source of spiritual comfort. At the peak of the involvement Few of the leprosaria in-land, central position in the Has its specific identity, it was a preticular place. of the church, there were as many as seven consecrated During WW2 Robben Island was chosen as the key site country churches on the Island, representing the Anglican, Dutch to protect Table Bay and Cape Town from threat of enemy
7
Typology - Independent village
8
Typology
Rarity, associative value
Is one of a relatively few, example of its type? Westfort
Intact structure, complex is threatened by violance and fire accidentens
Westfort is one of the least segregated institutions (compared with typology), but still unknown to many like most leprosarium Currently Westfort is mono functional.
Dilemma
Driver
Most former leprosaria are forgotten, Westfort too, a strategy is needed to create awarness. Attract people from Pretoria.
Create public events, of interest for a broad public coming from the region.
At the same time, Westfort should stay recognizable as independent place with its own identity
Create public places and functions to strenghten the community.
Resolution The festivals have peaks of many visitors, willing to spend money. They will have a posivite experience of Westfort. At the same time it puts pressure on the other clusters, a side effect which has to be dealt with. Library design, a living room for the community, to merge the festivals with the community and create a lively place throughout the year.
9
1910
2015 10
1970
Spirit of the time
11
1898 - 1910
12
13
The first buildings descend from 1898. At that time Pretoria was the capital of the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek (ZAR), a farmer’s republic. It was planned based on a leprosy segregation law of 1897 as second multi racial leprosarium in the present South Africa, beside the first leprosarium at Robben Island. Lepers were stigmatized in South Africa, especially the native population, which was blamed for the cause and the spread of the disease. (Horwitz, 2006)
14
1910 - 1930 The number of patients grows steady, Robben Island closes in 1930, and all patients are moved to Westfort. It became policy to track down lepers, and actively segregate them from family, which resulted in a necessity to extend the capacity of Westfort.
15
1930 - 1950
Westfort developed into a more efficient institution; chronic patient wards were added to treat the patients. The attitude changed from place to segregate to place to treat a patient to find a way to let them return home. It also changed from a human and orderly organized “normal� living place. To an efficiently managed place with clearly lesser quality for the black population, the influence of apartheid.
16
Life cycle scheme Time periods
Biographical events
Material state
Spirit of the time
I
1898 - 1910
Construction
New
ZAR - search for own identity
II
1910 - 1930
Extention, professionalisation
Larger new structures, new clusters in respect to original plan
British colonial, relocation patients, national influences
III
1930 - 1970
Consolidation
Small adjustments, general maintainance
Modernisation, latested changes accoording development of NE standards
IV
1970 - 1997
Closure
Double function, minimal maintainance, becomes superfluous
V
1997 - 2016
Informal settlement
Reuse, poor state, unstable, decrepit
17
Pretoria around 1900
Pretoria in 2015 18
Pictures:The Old Transvaal 1834 - 1899, A.P. Cartwright (1978)
Relation with Pretoria
19
Pictures:The Old Transvaal 1834 - 1899, A.P. Cartwright (1978)
20
Relation with Pretoria
Historical value / associative value
Associated with a specific historical event or period? National
Pretoria was the capitol of ZAR, Union and RSA, location of the parlement, apartheid
Clear traces of apartheid, segregated clusters of different quality
Regional
Pretoria is a central location in the regio, it attracts workers of all kinds
Minor influcence of the development of Pretoria on Westfort
Westfort
Indepent village, 10 km of historic center
Minor, earliest layout, dutch reformed church at entrance influence of ZAR
21
1910
2015 22
1970
Nature & Landscape
23
Vegetation 1947
24
Most of Westfort was open green space. Partly to segregate the different patient groups. Other reasons can be found in fact that there was few knowledge about lepra, commenly people thought green, open and fresh air would improve the currening proces.
Vegetation now
Most of the trees are gone now. Only two tree lanes are left, of which used to be a characteristic landscape element of Westfort. Therefor these last two pieces of tree lanes should be protected and kept. Historically they used to emphasis borders and keep the different parts of Westfort out of sight. Due to climate change, they provide much needed shade.
25
26
Nature/landscape National
Central in South Africa
Regional
Role in choise for location, segregation by the ridge and irrigation canal, grass land
Used to be far away, country side landscape, idea of healing landscape
Westfort
The landscape is the basis for the layout, personel housing at the ridge, patient cluster spread over the terrain
The program is adjusted to the landscape, the landscape was the basis
Cluster
Adjacent to irragation canal
Natural border, emphasis of central position Missing relation cluster and landscape, layout is focused on central open terrain show the intention for a link
between 2nd and 3rd row a lawn what used to be characteristic of Westfort
Dilemma
Driver
Under pressure by urban sprawl, the surrounding governmental housing missed qualitative public areas.
Vistas, lawns, only two left, high value as landmark part of scenery
Resolution By creating a function for the landscape, attention for maintains and protection against urban sprawl is generated
Returning trees lawns, create wetlands with storm- and waste water
27
28
Style & Materialization
29
1898
30
1910
1947
31
(Johannesburg Style, Architecture & Society 1880s – 1960s, Clive M. Chipkin, Cape Town)
A new population group developped in South Africa, the urban black people. Large numbers of work immigrants moved to the city for work during the industrial revolution of South Africa after the second World War. Large numbers of houses were needed, standards were developed, the NE 51/9 dating from 1951. The principles of this new approach to the housing issue can be traced back to the 1947 cluster in Westfort. The block is al about repetition in rows in stead of clusters with a central axis.
32
Style
Aesthetic value
Cluster
Aesthetic appeal?
National
Simple brickwork structures, for black population
Has characteristics of the NE 51/9 structures
Regional
Westfort
Cluster
One of the older structures with NE 51/9 characteristics
Patient housing, repetion.
Gable roof, central orientation
Service buildings
Own unique character per function
Monopitch roof, north orientation
Dilemma
No. Simple brickwork, poor technical quality
Driver A public function will replace a simple housing structure, the identity of the different public functions need to be negociated with the repetition
Deviation from the common appearance, exception in Westfort aesthetic
Reuse of material, monopitch roof and repetition of standards .
Resolution The library is not clearly emphasized as library, just the entrance recieved extra attention. The community knows the places, the festival visitors experiences it as a large decor.
33
Period
1897-1899
1902-1910
Base
M a t e r i a l s
coursedd ashler stone plinths with cast iron vents
slate tiles on stoep
baltic deal timber floors
stoep addition: red brick
course cut stone plinth
Wall wall plastered brick soft baked hand pressed orange brick
orange brick repalced with hard baked brick in origional flemmish bond
Roof corrugated metal sheeting on hipped roof baltic timber ceiling in interior
baltic deal timber trusses
triangular vent horisontal timber slats
timber bracket on stoep
corrugated metal sheet covering
Windows steel framed window wih a plastered brick on edge sill, pigment painted
Doors baltic deal timber shutters as well as frames fixed and jointed with iron details
timber door and frame
precast concrete and slate sills
Decorative sand stone quioning
34
brick arch voussior with sand stone keystones
(Student presentation, UP, Pretoria, 2015)
Period
1897-1899
1961-1997
190
Base
M a t e r i a l s
Dark brick plinth with concrete floors coursedd ashler stone plinths with cast iron vents
slate tiles on stoep
baltic deal timber floors
stoep addition: red brick
course cut s
Wall wall plastered brick soft bakedRed hand pressed orange brick brick in stretcher bond
orange brick repalced with hard baked brick in origional flemmish bond
Roof corrugated metal sheeting on hipped roof baltic deal timber trussescovering Mono pitched roof, timber rafters with corrugated metal sheet baltic timber ceiling in interior
triangular vent
corrugated metal sheet covering
Windows steel framed window wih a plastered brick on edge sill, pigment painted
Doors baltic dealSteel timber shutters as well as frames fixed and jointed with iron details window frames concrete lintels
timber doo
precast concrete andtimber slate sills framed and braced door
Decorative sand stone quioning
brick arch voussior with sand stone keystones
(Student presentation, UP, Pretoria, 2015)
35
36
Materialisation
Aesthetic value
Cluster
Aesthetic appeal? National
Regional
Local materials used, standard to the region at its time
ZAR DPW did not use plaster for other projects, makes Westfort an exception for its time
Westfort
Patient clusters, plastered walls, corrugated roof, construction wood
Change in use of materials over time; different materials for different population groups/types of clusters
Cluster
Brickwork, corrugated roof, construction wood
Dilemma A public function will replace a simple housing structure, the identity of the different public functions need to be negociated with the repition
Driver
No plaster, is one of the exceptions in Westfort aesthetic
Resolution
Emphasize new elements with new materials, for instance the basement made out of concrete.
37
38
Use
39
CENSUS DATA CENSUS DATA
CENSUS DATA
40
(Student presentation, UP, Pretoria, 2015)
Use
Use value
In use?
Regional
Housing zone, mono function area, prevailing governemental housing
Westfort
Small housing settlement, cheap place to live, for work seekers and ethnical groups
Mono-function, compared to what Westfort used to be, former hosipitals turned into housing
Cluster
Housing, garage place for taxi vans
Housing for poor, even church is used for housing
41
Overview table
42
43