Westfort Value Assessment Wouter Langeveld

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